Ensign of Liberty 1847-1849

THE ENSIGN OF 1

OF THE CHURCH OF

USTLHB, UK CTIIMJ. 0®®*. *AICS, 1847.

A special Conference of all the Min- its accomplishment. But I never have
isterial Authorities of the Church op seen a time, until this evening, when I
Christ in Kirtland, Ohio, assembled in have been surrounded by so many noble
their Council Chamber, on Saturday even- hearted men, by circumstances, and with
• j an 23 Kl/W Leonard Rich means for the accomplishment of so desir-

ing chair,’ assisted by his two counsel- able an object. To you, brethren, I can
lors. After singing, the Conference was. unbosom all my feelingson this subject,
dedicated in prayer by W.E. McLellin, and have no feaio‘bulrtEat they will most
who then arose and said with a hearty response. I now propose
Brethren— For years past, I have had that a committee of 6 men be raised, whOgg
one continued and abiding desire in my duty it shall, be to investigate this subje ct
heart, concerning the three witnesses to its extent, and draw op a document se t .
of the book of Mormon, viz- Oliver Cow- ting those men’s characters tn their tru e
derv David Whitmore, and Martin Har- light before the world. Said commute^
ris- who some years since received pre- to report to our next Conference, to b £
meditated, wilful, and outrageous abuse at lioldcn in this place on the 6th of hebru,
the hands of the Church, which had as- ary next.

suined the name of “Latter Day Saint?." Oue thing more, and I have ^me.

\n embodiment of those foul slanders, want it distinctly understood, tha if tin.
intended to be fastened upon the charac- Conference adopt my recommei dahon-
tors of those reorthy men — especially O. then we will act in the matter as a dutj
Cowderv and D. Whitmore— may be we in justice owe those injured mbn, t<
found in kn official document of the State the cause of Christ in which we are ea
of Missouri. Two thousand copies of gaged, and to ourselves as the represent?
wKiVK nnblished. “bv a joint reso- fives of “the only true and living Ghurct

longed; one to each member of Congress;
and tho residue to be distributed among
the members of the General Assembly of
Mo. Approved, Feb. 16, 1841."

I have also understood that a copy of
that document was also sent to the Gov-
ernors^ all the States in this Union, as
well as to a great many private individu-
als in different parts of the world. The
desire formed in my heart was, to see jus-
tice done to those injured men; and my
determination is to labor unceasingly for

THE ENSIGN

Bn, were appointed committee, by 1 1823 by the vision and direction of an
common consent. holy --Angel, who had charge, thereof.

Elder Mofiellin a^^BTrose and made And between that time and the organi.
many remarks relativB|^ necessity and zation of the Church, ir. 1830, the record
importance of establish High periodical here had been translated by Joseph Smith, jr.,
in Kirthmd, in order to disseminate light, by the “inspiration of the Almighty,” by
to the,wofl{d, j#y to all the honest in heart, the use of tho means that the Lord had
and t(f§js#rocate the best interests of this caused to be provided, viz. Interpreters,
Church; and proposed as its name, “27te i Directors, or more anciently called Urim
Ensign of Liberty .” Approved hy the and Thummim. By the use of these
unanimous consent of Conference. And means, and the aid of friends — who were
W. E. McLellin was unanimously np- friends indeed — even those “three wit-
pointed by the Conference to edit the nesses,” who were with him in the first
same. The Conference was then adjourn- organization of the Church, he performed
sd by prayer. that important labor.

Saturday Evening, Feb. 6th, 1847. In But they believed also that this genera-
Conference assembled. VV. E. .McLellin, tion would not close, before there would
for tho committee, read the following, as be an entire overthrow of wickedness
the result of their investigations and la- throughout the world. That, as the flood
bore. once swept the whole earth, and cleansed

— its face by water; so, within this century

As all great events in the histories of the whole face of the earth would be
things have' their causes, and as all effects cleansed of wickedness, “so ns by fire.”
and changes may be traced back to their That now is the time that by a “gathering
proper sources, so all the disastrous con- together,” inc may prepare for the “se
sequences which have befallen “the cond coming of the Son of Man.”

Church of Christ,” — vulgarly called Mor- As thus “peculiar faith,” spread, and
mons— plan be followed to their appropri- numbers were gathered into the bosom of
Jte beginnings. the Church, the members, as well as Min-

Tiit Church of-Christ wasorgaifized j istry, became anxious to know where that
on the 6th day of April, 1830, in the j spot of enrth was, on which “the Church
:owr ;!iip of Manchester, and State of New of Christ” might gather themselves to-
Yrwk; with only six members, viz. Joseph I gether, in order to have “a centre” of
F aith, sen., Lucy Smith his wife, Joseph j operations for the great work of the last
jmith, jr., Oliver Cowdery, Da id Whit- days — where they might enjoy each oth-
more, und Martin Harris. It very soon or’s society, in keeping, strictly keeping,
increased in numbers, and branches of it the commandments of God. During the
were organized and established in various fall of 1830, a branch of the Church was
places, by the labors, and through the in- established in Geauga County, Oiiio. A
ttrumentality of its first Ministers, who had very noted Preacher, bj tho name of Sid-
■ecoivpd their authority direct from Ilea- ney Rigdon, was baptised bv Uliver Cow-
ven — from the great Head of the Church dory, in Kirtland, amrwas received into
f- 8ven Christ the Lordg- as did men in the Church by confirmation. In Decent-
ly 8 of old — by the ministration^ of holy her following, he and Edward Partridge
Angels, and by the direct commandments visited Joseph Smith, and the branches of
of God from heaven. At least this was, the Church in York State. And on the
and is, the faith of the Church. Thev 30th of December, the word of the Lord
not only believed in and acknowledged came unto them, saying, “And again a
the validity and authority of the book of commandment I (the Lord) give unto the
Mormon a* being wriitan by holy pro- Church, that it is expedient in me, that
phets, who once lived upon this American they should assemble together at the Ohio.”
Continent, and by one of them hid up unto And in a few days thereafter, the voice of
the Lord, during the fifth century of the the Lord came unto them again, telling
^-hristian era ; and then found by Joseph them why he had commanded them to
smith, jr., on the 22d day of September, “assemble” in Ohio. “Wherefore, for

OF LIBERTY.

♦ . ; 3 ^

this cause I gave unto you .the command- should be refered to him in this genera*
meiit, that ye should' go to the Ohior and tionr the moiS the EWers-returned again
there I will give you my hie, and there to Kirtland, anoheld their next Conference
you shall be endowed' with power from in the town of Orange, on the 25th day
on niGn, and from thence, whomsoever I of October.

will shall go forth among all nations, and Suffice it to say, that the / work spread
it shall be told them what they shall do, rapidly, many embraced if, rfnd many
for I have a great work laid up in store.” were ordained Elders, and traveled east,

Joseph Smith and his friends soon remov- west, north, and south, bearing the glad
ed to Ohio, and Kirtland became the “seat tidings of peace on their lips, and the
and centre” of the operations of the first spirit of the fulness of the gospel in their
Authorities in the Church. hearts. Success crowned their labors, so

A general Conference was called here, far as to gathering members in the Church
in the month of June following, in which was concerned.

about thirty Elders were set apart and That little FEW, who felt called upon
sent out, by direct revelation from God, by the great Author of the work in which
two by two, without “ purse or scrip,” as they had commenced, to organize them-
in oiden lime ; to travel through the West- selves into a Church on the (ith of April,
ern StStes, in order to warn all, “that the 1830, had become thousands. The Min-
day of the Lord was near.” And also to isters were devoted and united. The first
declare those things which they knew, and Elders and Witnesses for the Lord, in
most assuredly did believe. Their next the work, stood together shoulder to shoul-
confercnce was held in August following, der, and heart to heart, in the all impor-
in Jackson County, Missouri — whither El- tant ministry they had received. They .
ders O. Cowdery, P. Whitmre, Z. Peter- resigned the management of temporal
son, P. P. Pratt and Dr. F. G. W illiams had things in the Church, to chosen men, “ full
gone the winter previous. ButP.P. Pratt of the Holy Ghost,” that they might, as
had returned to Kirtland in the spring, and the Apostles of old, “ give themselves con-
attended the June Conference. David tinually to prayer, and to the ministry of
Whitmore and Martin Harris — -two of the the word.” These were happy days for
witnesses — were among those who were the Church. These were days of calling,
required to go west at this time. And this But alas ! storms were ahead. The Arch
was the voieo of the Lord to all who were Enemy of the throne of God, and of the
sent out to hold that Conference in the far peace of man, was on the alert. O. Cow-
distant west : “And ihus, even as I have dery and John Whitmore, who was at that
said, if ye are faithful, ye shall assemble time recorder and historian for the Church,
yourselves together to rejoice upon the were sent by the voice of a Conference of
land of M issouri, ichich is the land of your their brethren, in the beginning of 1832, to
inheritance, which is now in the hands of the land of Zion, with all the revelations &
your enemies: — But behold I, the Lord commandments which the Lord had as yet
will hasten the city in its time.” given, through his Seer, to the Church.

The Elders assembled in Missouri, held that they might publish them in book
a Conference, and the Lord having point- form, for the benefit of the Church, ant
ed oat to them the spot “ upon which the to warn the world.

Zion of God shall stand.” “And that the The Church of Christ is now one. Sht
testimony might go forth from Zion ; yea, has one name, one ministry, one spirit o
from the mouth of the city of the heritage peace, one set of principles — and the)
of God : Yea, for this cause I have sent are being published to the world — on<

you hither.” And again the Lord said, faith, one baptism, and one God and Fa
“Let my servant Sidney consecrate and ther of all. They present one unbrokcr
dedicate the land, and the spot of the phalanx to the world. But alas, O! alas.
Temple, unto the Lord,” &c. After for the day which is soon upon her! ! So
these things were solemnly performed — many had gathered, and were still gather-
and even a stone laid to mark the “"spot” ing, into “the land of Zion,” the centre
where the corner of the Temple of God of which was the TEMPLE LOT, in

4

THE ENSIGN

Jackson County, Mo., that Ate prejudices
of the old settlers there ha ftcome awa-
kened, they had become soTealous, that du-
ring the summer and fall of 1838, they rose
up in their might, and purely by their mob
fury, hurled hundreds of men, women and
children of “the Church of Christ,” out
of the county, over or across the Missouri
river — homeless, and to a great degree
destitute among strangers, amidst the chil-
ling blasts of cold November. This was
a fetal period for the Church. The mob
had torn down and destroyed their print-
ing office,, their book work, &c. Their
periodical, the Evening and Morning Star,
of course ceased to cry through the land,
repent, repent, for the great day of the
Lord is near.

But what was worse than all this, the
sufferings and persecutions of the Church
had aroused in its members theppirit op
war. Notwithstanding they had profess-
ed the holy, harmless religion of Jesus,
and to be governed by the precepts of
Him, who while in his incarnation had
said, “ My kingdom is not of this world ;
if my kingdom were of this world, then i
would my servants fight.” Being goaded j
by the mobbers, finally, they lifted their 1
weapons ; they harnessed for the conflict ;
they raised the war cry, and rushed to the
battle. At first they bore their whipping,
their tarring and feathering, and their loss
of property. But O. Cowdcry, (after the
loss of the press, &c.,) had visited Kirt-
land — then the seat of the first Presidency .
of the whole Church — and had consulted j
with the Prophet, Joseph Smith. Elders i
Orson Hyde and John Gould, after con-
sultation were sent to “ the land of Zion,”
who counselled their brethren that the
Lord would justify them to stand in their
own defence — sword in hand.

But all the opposition that the Church
made, only proved a curse to them in the
end. The property, the sacred honor, and
the lives of the mob were pledged to
drive them from the county, peaceably if
they could, but forcibly if they must; and
out they cast them. During the winter, a !
Conference of the remaining authorities 1
of Zion was called, and Elders Lyman
Wight and P. P. Pratt were sent to Kirt-
land, from Clay County, Mo., to again
consult the first Authorities of tho Church

relative to their forlorn condition, and
what should be done. But O! fatal day
for the Church ! ! Her Ministers, yea,
her great ones, caught the fire of war
in their bones. Messengers were sent
out, under the sanction, and by the direc-
tion of her Prophet and Leader, who ran
throughout all her ranks, in order to ^
“gather up the strength of the Lord’s
house,” for the purpose of going to war,
to deliver and maintain the land of Ziou
by the sword. .

Kirtland was the rallying point. The
4th of May was the day appointed for this
warrior camp — armed and equipped, to
take their exit for the western part of Mis-
souri. Hundreds now have their eyes
fixed on deliverance by the sword. Their
hearts beat high for distinction and for
glory. Their faith now, instead of being
fixed in the God of Daniel for the deliv-
erance of Zion, is centered in their own
all powerful arms. As the day of their de- *
parture was drawing nigh, all was bustle,
all was anxiety, all was preparation. A
different spirithad seized almost the whole •
ranks of the Church, from what had hith* 1 *’’
erto propelled them onward. The Elders
had from the beginning preached, that the
time was soon at hand when that principle
and practice should be resounded through-
out this creation of God, spoken of by the
Prophets, “nation shall not lift up sword
against nation, neither shall they learn
war any more.” And they, too, had re-
ceived "the word of the Lord, in August,
1833, “to renounce war, and proclaim
peace.” But war is now the watchword !
Great numbers are now prepared, sword
in hand, to march to the conquest of Zi-
on. The first of May, 1834’7’upproaches.
The Church of Christ as yet presents
one unbroken front to the world. She
was united in her leading authorities.
Hundreds of humble, talented, and enter-
prising individutds, both old and young,
could be counted in her Priesthoods, among
her Ministry. But her Prophet Joseph is
bent on war ; and they too must follow in
the wake, or be counted “ weak in tho
faith,” and finally separate themselves from
the Church.

But hark ! the 3d of May arrives. The
Heavens take the matter into considera-
tion. The Lord says to all the holy An-

5

OF LIBERTY.

eels, who have charge concerning “the
work- of the last days,” “Behold ray
Church is one; they have taken upon
them my name — the name of Christ ; and
now lest they pollute my name, and my
Church ; lest nothing is restrained from
them, which they have desired to do : Go
to let us go down and take from them my
Imly same, that they pollute it not.” A
still small voice whispers into the ear of
the Prophet. He assembles a conference
around him of all the authorities of the
Church in Kirtland. A motion is made by-
Elder Sidney Rigdon, that this Church of
Christ be no "more known by that name ; but
that we henceforth call ourselves “Latter
Dav Saints.” The unanimous vote of the
conference at once settled the matter. The
official organ of the Church, in the May
number, in the editorial column, hoisis
as it caption— “ Progress of the Church of
L the Latter Day Saints.” Having official-
ly ]y rejected the name of Christ, and taken
P a fictitious one, which the mouth of the
Lord did not give for the Church, and all
other things being prepared, this rnamor
camp of saints set out for the western
bounds of Missouri, to “redeem Zion,
being led on by <»he Prophet, and other
great ones who took fictitious names, such
Is Capt. Cook, Col. Bruce, &c. But ah !
the Angels of Cod' mourned. The Heav-
ens were grieved. Though the Devils
laughed, and the earth over which they
wended their way onward, sent forth her
pestiferous breath, filled with pain, sick-
ness, and death. Ere theyTeached their
destination* a fictitious or false spirit from
the infernal regions had so taken possession
of their hearts, that the great ones in the
camp were divided and filled with bitter-
' ness towards each other — even unto open
strifes and contentions. The pestilential
Cholera had seized some of the best men
among them. It raged with violence.
Soon numbers of them were laid away
with the pale nations of the dead. They
had no power of faith to stay its ravages.
Thousands of dollars by this wild expedi-
tion had been swallowed up, valuable lives
lost, much human suffering endured, and
many, very manv privations undergone, as
well" as months" of precious time spent
worse than in vain. lea, it had flitted
into eternity not only unimproved, but

spent in doingthose things which God had
not Commanded. And we are bold to de-
clare, that not one single stone had been
moved towards the redemption of Zion.

Bat the camp of “ Latter Day warriors”
had passed over near one thousand miles
of territory, and had landed in Clay coun-
ty, Missouri, in the last of June, 1834.

On the noise of their approach, the up-
per Missouri resounded with the cry of
“ to war ! to war !” The roar of arms
is heard throughout all the upper counties,
and hundreds flock to aid their friends in
Jackson County, to oppose this “ camp of
strangers,” to keep them from reinstating
their friends and brethren back upon their
lands, from which they had been ruthlessly
driven. The powers of Heaven are not
engaged for their good, for death is in their
ranks. The powers of earth oppose theii
onward march, and in superior number-
they are gathered to intercept and slat
them, if thev attempt to cross the turbid
rolling Missouri, to set foot on “ the con
secrated spot — dedicated for the upbuild
ing of Zion.”

The signs of deliverance appear doubt
ful. Orders from head quarters are giver
for “ the camp” to disperStv-hnd each mai
to take the best care of himself that he can
But time has onlv flitted a few days into
past eternity, before a conference of al
the authorities of Zion, together with al
who journeyed in the camp, is called a
the instance of Joseph Smith, and hi
counsellors. The conference met at th<
house of Lyman Wight, about 3 mile,
west of Liberty, on the 8th day of July.
1834. On that dav it was determined to
give up their “wild goose chase for th>'
deliverance of Zion,” for the present;
and for each man of “the camp eithe
to return again to their homes and
or to remain with their friends and bretn
ren in their dispersion. Toward the clos
of this conference, the prophet Josep
arose and said, “ I now have one mor
very important duly to perform before ou,
conference closes. In September, 183C
the Lord said in a revelation to OUve
Cowdery, given in Fayette, N. Y., as fol
lows; “Thou shalt not command him who l 1
at thy head, and at the head of the Church
for l have given him the keys of the mys
teries, and the revelation which are scale

T FI E ENSIGN

r,

until 1 shall appoint unto them another in had reached Kirtland, where O. Cowdery
•i* tin id.” Again in December. following, and S. Rigdon had remained, another scene
n a revelation given in the same place to was to be enacted. The injuries inflicted,
•S. Rigdpn, it is said thus: “I the Lord and the animosities created during tho
: ave sent forth tho fullness of my gospel journey of the camp to Missouri, now came

up in an aggravated form, to be settled by
the High Council, or Court, of the Church.
Elder Sylvester Smith presented a charge
against the Prophet Joseph, of a very grave
and serious nature. Some two days and
nights were spent in this investigation.
The reputation of the Prophet, connected
— ny coming, if ho abide in me, and if not, with the character of the Cliurch of Latter
mother will I plant in his stead.” And Day Saints, and all his personal influence,
gain, in a revelation to tho Elders of the were brought to bear against his accuser.
Ihurch, assembled in Kirtland, O., given- Finally, by the highest Court in the Church
'•'eb., 1831: “Behold, verily, verily 1 say it wax' decided, that S. Smith should make
unto you, ihatye have received a command- a public confession, and have it published
nent fora law unto my Church, through to the world, in order to atone for daring
dm whom I have appointed unto you to to bring an accusation against the man,
eccivo commandments and revelations. who had committed such grievous wrongs
rom my hand. And this shall ye know that the Lordcaused him, in a large Con-
•ssuredly, that there is none other appoint- ference, to appoint another in his stead .
d unto you to receive commandments and And although his crimes, for which he had
revelations until he be taken, if he abide been arraigned, were notorious, yet his in-
n me. But verily, verily 1 sny unto you, fluence was such, that Sylvester Smith was
hat none else shall be appointed unto tin’s made the scape-coat to bear awav the re-
;ift, except it be through him; for if it proach in the "eves of men. And the
oe taken from him, he shall not have pow- j highest Tribunal ' in th# Church not only
sr except to appoint another in his stead.” sanctioned it,' but actually required it.
Vow, brethren, there has been an anxiety 1 And more, for Elder Smith told them that
•n the minds ot many to know who, il I he would sign the document required, pro-
diould bo taken, would be the ON E to lead • vided the)’ would bear the inquitv, or free
his Church “in my stead. " 1 want now him from blame belbre the bar of God.

.o put that matter to rest. Joseph then' I his however was a wrong anil ruinous
called David Whitmore forward, and said, 1 principle lor him, as well as them, to act
■‘ THIS IS THE MAN.” He then with j upon. And we can now say? after more
others laid his hands upon him, and ordain- than twelve vears’ experience and obser- .•
id him to his station. “ Now,” said Jo- vation, that the consequences have fallen'
ieph, “ if 1 should be taken away, the heavily, both upon the individual, upon
church need not be rent with schisms on : those who then composed that Council, and
this pomt. And I say to you, that, should upon the whole Society represented in '
I be taken, THE W ORK will roll with that Court.

more rapidity, and with more power than But time passed along, & all the energies
it ever has done. of tho Church seemed again to centre in

A majority of the disappointed “camp” the spread of their principles in the world,
bid farewell to each other at this Confer- and in building “the House of the Lord,”
ence, and thcncc began to wend their ways in Kirtland. And, during the winter of
homeward. Martin Harris was the only thirty-five and six, hundreds upon hundreds
one of the “three witnesses” who accom- of the Ministers of the Church collected in
panied the camp. And it is due to him from the east, west, north, and south, in
to state, that he would take upon him order to receive their “endowment from
no fictitious name, but frequently said, on high.” All were anxious to see the
“ My name is Martin Harris in all the TEMPLE finished, and dedicated to God,
world. But when the first Authorities in order that in it they might hold their

> y the hand ot my servant Joseph, ana in
weakness have I blessed him, and 1 have
iven unto him the keys of the mystery
•f those tilings which have been sealed,
ven things which were from the foun-
ation of the world, and the things which
ihall come from this time until the lime of

T

OF LIBERTY.

solemn assembly. Ah ! said they, then we !
will walk through this world guided by the !
finger of -G o d , as dul the Apostleaof old. :
Great things.were anticipated. Expec- 1
tatioits ran high. Tlie bosoms ol veterans
in the cause were swelled with anxiety.
Finaiiv, the announcement went forth that
the lower room of the Temple of the Lord
was finished. Sunday morning. March
27th, 1338, arrived, and hundreds alter
hnndreds vended their way early, saving,
“Come, let us go up to the House of the j
Lord.” The house was filled to overflow- ,
ing, and all could not bo seated. It was
dedicated in the presence of hundreds by i
hundreds, and all seemeJ pleased with ine
services.

The next thing that engaged the atten. ]
tion of all. Was to prepare for the endow-
ment. Washings anil anointings were,
strictly attended to by all the Ministry ot
the two orders of Priesthood in the fchuroh.
Finally, the Cth of April, the time, the long
looked for time arrived- Early, ves, very
early in the morning, about five hundred
Ministers seated themselves in the iem-
p] c — the most of them expecting to wait,
on the Lord there, until he visibly dis-
played himself, by shedding upon them, as |
it were, “cloven, tongues of tire,” so that
they might go to all the world, and pro-ten
to them in their own languages, in which
they were born, the wonderful .works ot

God. , .

But we are sorry to have to record, Hint
the light of the next mornings sun found
disappointed hundreds wending their way
from that noble ediiice, to th eir h omes an-1
their liresides, to reflect upon, and brood
over their sad disappointment. I he least
we can say relative to the anticipated en-
dowment, is, it was a failure! ! The Lord
could not consistently endow men who had
officially given to the Church another
name , who were full of the. spirit of tear,
who had in their highest Council officially
justified iniquity — and thereby ruined the
character of a man, for faithfully trying to
do his duty ; wifif also many of whom had
suffered themselves to became heated with
wine to excess. W e say, God could .not,
consistent with lf.s character as a holy,
impartial being, endow such a company
of men.

But although many kuew that they had

not realized what they had expectad, and
consequently felt dispirited ; yet they could
not disbelieve those holy principles which
Tliiy TiadMearnCddirtiie Church of Christ.

Therefore they moved onward. But alas!
for fallen man. It is his nature to love
the things of earth, however he may have
been enlightened, when once he falls from
his steadfastness, and loses his power with.
God. So it was with -Joseph.- He now
soon began to plot sclaemes of worldly ag-
grandizement. Although the Lord had
said to him, that, “In temporal labors thou
shalt not have strength, for this is not thy
calling;” yet the Arch Deceiver of man
made liim believe, that ho could accumu-
late riches of the world.

The first great move for this purpose,,
was the formation of a mercantile firm,
composed of the Presidency of the Church.
They went east and purchased thousands
of dollars worth of goods; and that, too,
upon erect— thus violating a plain princi-
ple of God's word: “Owe no man any-,
thing, but love one another.” Kirtlaud
was stocked with plenty ot merchandize..
Pride, folly, and riotous living soon took
the uppermost seats in the hearts of the
Latter Day Saints. Not content with mer-
chandizing, they also speculated in a city
plot, and they purchased many farms in
the region round about. And one door of
transgression will soon open another. —
These leading men, among a numerous
people, .have an ambition to rise to the
pinacle of fame -as groat speculators, so
that thev might lay up much worldly trea-
sure. Soon, therefore, it is determined,
that a Kibtlaxd Bank must be establish-
ed, to hold their treasures; and to aid them
to get more. So eager were they, and so
sanguine of succesq that they did not even
wait to get a charter from the t-ta e, bat
seemed to think that everything must bow
at their nod — thus violating tho laws of
the land in which they live, which in the
end brought upon them swift destruction.

Their merchandizing, their city plot,
and land speculations, together with their
pretended banking system, broug.it ruin,
inevitable ruin, upon thousands. It was
as in the days of Jeremiah. “ rh3 proph-
ets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear
rule by their means; and my people love
to have it so.” So with multitudes of the

8

THE ENSIGN

Church in Kirtland. They ran witfTea-
gernese after the giddy phantoms of worldly
riches and pleasures. But wo ! wo ! ! to
all their spiritual enjoyments. Jealousies
and feuds rise in their midst. Men who
were not to be led to destruction, began to
halt and look about them. Such did the
“three witnesses to the book of Mormon.”
They warned Joseph and Sidney to turn
from their evil course, before they should
bring entire destruction upon themselves
and all the Church. This roused their ire
against them, and from that time forth they
plotted the destruction of their property
and characters.

The friends and relatives of David and
Oliver ljved in Caldwell County, Mo.j and
when they saw that they had no power to
stay the downward inarch of the Church in
Kirtland, they removed to Far West, Mo.
But soon they were followed by Joseph
and Hyrum Srriith, and S. Rigdon, who
seemed bent on destroying them — because,
forsooth, those faithful 7oitnesses would not
pollute their holy Priesthoods, by using the
authority and influence of them to run
with their opposers to do all kinds of mis-
chief and iniquity. Nay, they chose ra-
ther to suffer the loss of their former
friends, their property, and hazard their
reputation and character, and lives, than,
by doing evil, to offend tharGod who had
sent to them his holy Angel from the heav-
ens, who showed u’ri;o them the holy and
sacred records, the Lord’s Prophets on this
continent had hid up unto the Lord, unto
the times to come, when men should again
have faith in God so as to receive them ;
and who commanded them to bear testimo-
ny to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and
people. These men, by their testimony,
by their godly examples, and by their
warnings, were a terror to evil doers. —
Some scheme, therefore, must be invented
by which these men could be driven from
the midst of the Latter Day Saints. Per-
secution must, in order to fill their cup of
iniquity, be added to their other crimes of
war, false names, speculations, lyings,
false prophecyings, oppressions, wicked
decisions of councils, &c. &c. The first
Presidency now consisted of Joseph Smith,
jr., Sidney Rigdon, and Hyrum Smith.’
And they well knew the spotless purity of
the character of David Whitmore. They

knew his influence in the Church, among
all who knew him. They knew that Da-
vid had been called of God, appointed and
ordained under the hands of Joseph Smith
and others, to be the Leader of the people
of “the Church of Christ,” in Joseph’s
stead. They knew also the eloquence,
the integrity, and the talents of Oliver
Cowdery. Their enmity therefore was
aroused. Their determinations were as
much fixed to destroy them as to live.
And in order to do so, they have recourse
to the Gadianton secrets; and a band of
men, called “The Brother of Gideon, the
Daughter of Zion, or the Danite Society,”
is organized and sworn, “ ever to conceal,
but never to reveal the secret purposes of
this society, and also to carry into effect
all the edicts, laws, pnd orders of the first
Presidency of the Church.” An edict is
Soon issued from head quarters, addressed
to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmore, John
Whitmore, W. W. Phelps, and L. E.
Johnson, — Greeting. These men were at
this time all called dissenters, and were
particularly obnoxious to those whom they
liad warned to flee fiom their iniquities,
and thus escape the wrath to come. In
this address, which may be found on the
103 page of the Missouri document, are
some of the most vile and barefaced false-
hoods, that the most abandoned and evil
hearts could invent. It refers to transac-
tions of those men both in Kirtland, and
in Far West, and signed by 83 men’s
names; many of whom never were in
Kirtland in their lives. They thus write
to 'the witnesses of that holy' book, with
others, “ There are no threats from you ;
no fear of losing our lives by you, or by
any thing you can say or do, will restrain
us ; for out of the county you shall go, and
no power shall save you. And you shall
have three days after you receive this com-
munication to you, including twenty-four .
hours in each day, for you to depart peace-
ably with your families ; which you may
do undisturbed by any person ; but in that
time, if you do not depart, we will use
the means in our powor to cause you to
depart; for go you slialL We have sol-
emnly warned you, and that in the most
determined manner, * • that vengeance
would overtake you sooner or later, and
that when it did come, it would be as furi-

OF LIBERTY*

9

ous as the mountain torrent, and os terrible
ns the beating tempest, * * * Vengeance
sleepeth not, neither does it slumber. * •
For there is but one decree for you, which
is depart, depart, or a more fatal calamity
shall befal you.”

The duty of driving these men from
Caldwell Co., wasassigned to the Danites,
and they in secret conclave had fixed the
night on which their blood should flow, if
they did not flee. But an old friend of theirs,
who happened to hear the time fixed by the
Danites, came to some of them privately
Tate in the afternoon, and told' them, that
nothing would be restrained from these
Danites, which they had attempted to do —
and that he would advise them to leave.
All things seemed to admonish them they
only could have safety by flight, conse-
quently near sunset, David, Oliver, John,
and Lyman bid farewell to their youthful
wives, and their little children, their homes
and firesides, and with heavy hearts, and
solemn step, they left that people who had
been enlightened and brought together, to
a great extent, by their labors and “ testi-
mony.” But alas ! who had now fallen,
and become their bitterest enemies, and
high handed persecutors. After these
men, the “ witnesses of truth,” had taken
an affectionate leave of their innocent fam-
lies, resigning them into the hands of “ the
Father of lights,” they left “ the city of
their homes” and began to wend their way
across those extensive prairies lying south
of Far West.

But the darkness of night soon coming
on, and being comparative strangers to the
way, they directly lost their path. Pen-
sive, mournful, and solemn, see them wan-
der they know not where. All before them,
behind them, and round about them,
is a vast wilderness of prairie. Not a
tree, not a stump, hedge, nor even a stone
to guide their onward step. Ah ! see that
man who sat day after day, week after
week, and month after month, and wrote
the pages of the book of Mormon, from
the mouth of Joseph Smith, Jr., ns he
translated by the inspiration of Heaven,
the words of the holy prophets, who lived
and wrote upon this beloved American
continent. Yes, see him and his partners
in tribulation, wander as the prophets of
old; because they had borne a faithful

testimony against wickedness in high
places. ■

Think of it, Oh ! ye heavens, and all
ye honest in heart throughout the world,
that these witnesses are driven out from
their homes, by those who call themselves
LatterDay Saints,— charged, too, with
some of the very crimes of which the
leaders in that society, (who were the
prime movers in their expulsion,) had
been guilty over and over again. But
now to screen themselves, charge them
upon these men, and cause them to be
driven away. Weep, O ye heavens?
over this fallen people, once so highly fa-
vored, but alas ! they have fallen, have
fallen, and have become the habitation of
Devils, and the hold of every foul spirit.

But onward see those men wander, un-
til the light of a new day broke in upon
that part of the earth, and meeting a
stranger, he points them to the road that
will lead them to an old and tried friend’s,
who lived about twenty-five miles from
Far West. With joy, mixed with sorrow,
ho received them. Mrs. McLellin soon
furnished them with a repast, while the
family listened to their sad tale. W. E.
McLellin had, in August, 1836, ceased to
be an active Minister among that people,
because he verily believed that the course
pursued by their Leaders would sooner or
later bring inevitable, destruction upon
them and their followers. Here they found
a home from the “ pitiless storm,” and re-
mained and refreshed themselves for some
days, until their friends had succeeded in
bringing to them their families. And when
retrospecting his past life, there is no period
he contemplates with more pleasure, than
when he fed those persecuted men, David,
Oliver, and friends, at his table.

But we will return to the history of Far
West. On the 4th day of July, 1838,
“the Latter Day Saints” reared a tall
Liberty pole on the large square in the
centre of their city. Elder Rigdon, un-
der the shadow of the stabs and stbipes
that gently floated in the breeze from its
top, made, on that day sacred to the mem-
ory of American Independence, a public
speech, which, with other things, roused
the indignation of the. people of all the
adjoining counties. And as an evidence
that that people', who had driven out their

10

TIIE ENSIGN

f

:

best men, were polluting their lands and
U their’ Priesthoods, and that they should be
shivered, and also driven, and that speed-
ily; a few days only had passed, when a
dark cloud hovered over their fated city. !

; A vivid flash of fierce lightning shot forth j

•Jr its arrows and splintered the tall pole from I

top to bottom, and threw it in fragments ■
all around its base. This mark of the !
Lord’s displeasure seemed to strike a |
damper on all who had gathered around
to look upon the splinters, after the show- I
er had passed. But Joseph walked over
them, and said, “Brethren, thus shall our
| enemies be torn and rent, if they come up I
against us.” This, coming from the Pro-
phet, seemed to quiet their fears lor the 1
present. But we think that it too plainly
told them their speedy fate.

A few months only, however, had pass-
ed away until the cry is again heard .
throughout upper Missouri — To arms! — !
To arms!! — is heard from glen, dale, hill,
and prairie. And thousands upon thou-
sands rush to the field of battle. Ven- ,
geance is now declared throughout their |
entire ranks against every Latter Day
Saint in upper Missouri, who adheres to
the councils of the Leaders in Far West.
The “furious mountain torrent, and piti-
less tempest, & .fatal calamity,” threatened
upon the heads of the dissenters, arc all
now about to fall upon their accusers and
persecutors ns a raging tornado. And soon
we shall see it fail as with the swiftness
of the eagle’s dart, upon that devoted city
of Far West, and its inhabitants and sup-
porters.

Mobs have gathered on both sides, and
thousands of property destroyed by both
parties. Fire and sword walk boldly
through the land. Sometimes the Saints,
(save the name,) and then again the Mis-
sourians, gain a temporary triumph. In
their skirmishes, a few lives were lost,
which only served to arouse the indigna-
tion still higher, and then higher. Final-
- lv, the military arm, by the authority of
the State, is called upon, and thousands of
men in arms answer to the call, by march-
ing for Far West, with a quick step and
a hurried pace. The city is besieged, and
her great ones are called for, and they
voluntarily surrender themselves into the
hands of the officers of State. Those who

were foremost to boast of their strength
and potker— who were foremost to cause
to be driven away “God’s witnesses,” and
Messengers of peace to Mfe world — now
are foremost to be dragged nwny from
their families and little ones, to be soon
incarcerated in a loathsome 'county pris-
on, there to await their trials by law for
their crimes.

The city is also taken, disarmed, and a
decree is upon all her inhabitants to flee
the State, as their only safety. O ! piti-
less storm! thou hast beaten upon them!
Tho decree is, out of the Stale you shall
go, and no power shall save you. Ah ! in-
s'ead of their enemies who came up against'
them being shivered; they themselves are
scattered and driven, and the same meas-
ure that they meted out to others, is meas-
ured to them again, “good measure, heap-
ed up and shaken together.” When the
Whitmores, Cowdery and others left Far
West, their houses were entered by men
sword in hand, and their property taken by
false pretences, and sold to the highest
bidder — and thus scattered and destroyed.
But now this people have to stand and see
theirs destroyed by thousands, and have
no power to help themselves. Their Lib-
erty Pole was a fair index to what had
thus fallen upon themselves. All this hap-
pened to them during the fall and winter
of 1838.

The- Leaders spend the winter in pris-
on. The most of the Church leave tho
State during the winter, and remove to
Quincy, Illinois. But in the spring, while
the prisoners wore passing from one
| county to another, they managed, bv the
1 assistance of their friends, to escape from
their guards, and from the hands of tho
officers charged with the execution of the
laws of Missouri; and they fled also to the
! State of Illinois.

Soon another rallying point, or place of
“gathering,” is established at Commerce,

; 111., at tho head of the lower rapids on tho
' Mississippi river. Grounds are purchas-
ed, and an extensive city laid out here,
called Nauvoo; and hundreds by hundreds
gather into, and round about it. Matters
seem to begin to prosper again. But no
; repentance for the abuse they had wanton-
i ly heaped upon “the witnesses,” whom
they had driven from their midst by the

i

OF LIBERTY.

II

power of their secret Gadianton-Danite work together for good to them that love .
band, which had been organized to do God.”

mischief and evil, and only evil, and that But that God who never forgets man’s
continually. Nay, they had maddWio con- oppressions, has his eye upon Nauvoo.
fession or restitution to them. Solitary He looks down and sees, no doubt, every
and atone, they must wander through the crime known to the laws of both God and
world, and bear all the lies, and curves, man, (sofar as it isin theirpower.) commit-
and anathemas, which the Church of Lat- ted within her limits, and under the sanc-
ter Day Saints had power to heap Upon tion of her Leading men. Finally, the
them. ' protecting, or rather the preventing power

O! the blindness and folly of man! — of God is withdrawn. “The wolves are
Injured innocence must yet. plead her on the scent,” the Prophet and Patriarch
cause, in their behalf, at the dread bar of of the Latter Day Saints a ro again takeih
Jehovah, for the Latter Day Saints seem prisoners, and soon the massive doors of the
not yet to have learned, that they must Carthage prison grate upon their hinges,
“do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly as they are closed for the last lime upon
before God,” in order to prosper. The these strange, singular, and unfortunate
three very men, upon the validity of whose men. Sfon a lawless banditti of mobo-
testijiony they are bound to rely, for the crats rush forward and surround the walls
correctness of the translation of the book of their prison. Infuriate madness, with
of Mormon, of which they so much boast, the blackness .of darkness of the infernal
have been driven from among them. — regions, sits on their broWs. Wilful mur-
Tliey, like David of old, have had to flee dor rs in their hearts. Another moment,

to Phtlistia, yea, to the Gentiles, even to and thou Hark! What do wo hear?

find a temporary home where they could O! ’Tis the death groans of Joseph and
rest in a degree of peace, and wait until Ilyrum Smith. Ah!! see them fall!!!

“ returning justice would lift aloft his The fatal lead has pierced their vital
scale, and say to these three men, and parts. Their life’s blood has crimsoned
to the world, “here is justice coupled with the jail of Hancock County. 0! ye un-
truth — here is equity joined to salvation.” fortunate men, we feel to bewail the rnan-
Thc Latter Day Saints, in the old world ner of your end. 0! that you had kept
and in the new, now turn their attention the strict commandments of your God,
to build up Nauvoo. She soon becomes and then lived in righteousness, and led
an extensive city ; high, and exalted char- the people of the Church of Christ onward
tered privileges are granted her by the to that “ rest which remaineth to the peo-
Legislature of Illinois. But neither of the pie of God.” But ye are gone. Your
“three witnesses” can conscientiously join spirits arc beyond the reach of those foul
as citizens in her apparent glory. No — fiends in the shapes of men, who so ruth-
verily no. Martin Harris has retired to lesslv and lawlessly slew you.
his little farm, in Kirtland, Ohio, and Wo! Wo!! Thrice Wo!!! be unto
Stands warning all, that the Church will those men who rose up on the 27th day
not prosper until they throw away their of June, 1844, and slew those who were
fictitious name, and take again, as in the once the favored and anointed of God. —
beginning, the name of “the Church of Bitter,. yea? very bitter will be their end
Christ,” and return to their first love, and also ! ! !

then keep the corfimandments of God. — But here we leave jliose men of strange
Oliver Cowdery se#Ws in Tifiin, Ohio, and varied character, in the hands of Him
and pursues his favorite profession of the “ who hath measured the waters in the hol-
Law, but lifts not his sharpened pen low of his hand, and meted out the heav-
against his vile calumniators. And Da- ens with a span and we feel willing to
vid Whitmore settled, as a temporary let their cases rest in the hands of a God
home, in Richmond, Mo., where he fre- of truth' and justice, until the morn of
quently told his friends that “the work" their resurrection. ^Whatever good or
will yet rise and prosper.” “Fear not,” evil they may have dene, at the dread bar
said he, “brethren, all things will yet of God they whU.answer, and receive ac-

12

THE ENSIGN

cording to their deeds — their own deeds converts both in the Old and in the New
done in the body. World, and on the islands of the sea; but

A few words more relative to the fate of who have finally become so divided into
Nauvoo, and we have done with her. All parties, that now the hardest of the con-
tbe scenes, and warnings, and disappoint- flict seems to be among themselves. Va-
ments, the Latter Day Saiats have ever rious Leaders have risen up among them,
had, and passed through, have not taught and raised the cry, “ Lo, here is Christ !
them wisdom yet — have not learned them or Lo, he is there. Behold he is in the
44 to fear God and keep his commandments, desert. He is in the secret chamber,”
which is the whole duty of man.” Nay, &c. &c. Each party rising with its Lea-
but when usurpers and evil men rise up der or Leaders, and with arguments upon
among them as Leaders, they run with arguments to sustain their claims ; and to
greediness after them. “We are bound,” show the falsity and iniquities of the claims
say they, “ to carry out the measures of and conduct of all the others.

Joseph Smith.” We envy them not. — Our object has also been to show the

Their troubles, distresses, and calamities, high estimate we place on the labors and
will fall upon them in quick succession, the characters of the three witnesses to
equal to their powers of endurance. Wo! the book of Mormon. And in giving so
Wo!! is their doom. For they have cho- plain a statement as the circumstances
sen to be led by the Arch-Enemy of the required at our hands, we can only say
peace of all intelligences, instead of to we have endeavored to do so in the spirit
repent and be led by the Savior of the of truth, kindness and charity. We have
world. A few months only had passed endeavored to avoid injuring the feelings
away, and Nauvoo is besieged by mobs, of any child of God. We have written
and again the Latter Day Saints agree to that die honest in heart throughout the
flee. Beyond the abodes of civilized man world may know how that Church, while
is now their only hope of safety ; and to it wore the name of Christ, and published
the western howling wilderness they bend and practiced his precepts, was blessed of
their march for California. Millions on Heaven — how the fruits ofthe Spirit of God
millions of human misery must inevitably viz. “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gen-
follow in their train ; until ruin, utter ruin tleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and
lays them waste. temperance,” were manifest among them

One peculiarity that characterized this — how its members rejoiced in bearing
wonderful people, during all their trou- these fruits to the honor and glory of God.
bles, we have thus far intentionally omit- And how the Lord shed forth upon that
ted to mention, viz. — Whenever, because people, the gifts also of his Holy Spirit,
of their iniquities, the Lord would suffer viz : w Tho word of wisdom, the word of
their enemies to come'upon them to scourge knowledge, the gift of faith, the gifts of heal-
them, then their Elders would run through ing, the gift of prophecy, the discerning
the world, and cry persecution !. persecu- of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, and the
tion ! ! O woful persecution ! ! ! And thus interpretation of tongues.” Their Elders
wake up the sympathies of mankind ; walked forth among men with the Bible
and thus gather new strength, as the ball of God in their hands, the fulness of
rolled onward. We do not wish to say, the everlasting gospel, contained in the
however, but that they may have suffered Book of Mormon, in their hearts ; and
some persecution for righteousness sake. then the Holy Ghost bearing record, to all
But now let us recapitulate, and con- that were humble in heart, of the solemn
dense this, to us, painful narrative of facts, truths, which they declared. Thus they
*Our object in presenting this document prospered and flourished. But, alas! that
to the world has been, to give a succinct “ Wicked One ” must be revealed. His
history of that singular people , who have power, and signs, and lying wonders, and
risen up in our own day and age, on our all deceivableness of unrighteousness must
own continent, and in our own land of be shown forth in them that perish ; but
Liberty — who have within the last sixteen they only will be damned who have pleas-
years spread their prinqjfdes and made ure in unrighteousness, “ Whom it is im-

OF LIBERTY

13

possible to renew again unto repentance.”
The enemy made a bold push to over-
throw “ the work of the last days.” He
set almost the entire ranks of the Church
on fire with the spirit of war. He then
caused them to take upon the Church the
f»l«> name of Latter Day Saints. Great
speculations, which brought ruin upon
thousands seized even the very heads of
the Church. Pride, folly, and riotous liv-
ing must follow in their train. Yea
jealousies, misrepresentations, and even ty
ing were frequent among them. Prophesy-
ing falsely in the name of God, in order to
deceive. Then, when evils began to fall
upon them consequent upon their wicked-
ness, they rose up in their might, and op-
pressed each other, but especially the poor.
They degraded and ruined the courts or
councils of the Church, by causing them
to give wrong and even wicked decisions,
on cases of great moment. Finally, they
turned upon those men whom they could
not corrupt— THE THREE WITNES-
SES — and drove them from their midst.
And then heaped upon them falsehoods,
calumnies, oppressions, and persecutions.
They organized secret combinations among
them, in order to oppress and to destroy.

Thus have the fair proportions of that
noble superstructure, the church of Christ,
been smitten as it were to the very dust,
and broken into parties and fragments, and
scattered as is were to the four winds ;
and has become even a reproach, a hiss,
and a bye-word to all the evil hearted
throughout Christendom.

But to all the faithful in Christ Jesus,
notwithstanding all these things, we your
brethren in Kirtland would say, that God,

therefore have I spoken, we also believe
and therefore speak.*’ And our voice is
that the time, yea the set time to favor Kirt-
land has come. Then, brethren, arise and
trim your lamps, that you may have oil
therein ; for behold the coming of the
bridegroom is near; yea, nearer than when
we first believed.

And to all the Rulers, and Governors*
and authorities of our land and our na-
tion, and of all the world we would say,
repent, repent, for “the hour of God’s judg-
ment is at hand.” The harvest of the
earth is truly ripening, and will soon be
reaped down by the sore judgments of
heaven — they will fall upon mankind both
by sea and by land. O! turn ye unto
God, that you may live. For we say un-
to you, that this generation in which we
live will wind up the career of wicked-
ness on this earth for one thousand years.
Repent ye, therefore, that you may have
a part in the “ reign of rest.”

W. E. McLELLIN,
LEONARD RICH,
JEREMIAH KNIGHT,
ALFRED BONNEY,
HIRAM L. ROUNDS,
JACOB BUMP,

; Comtniltec.

(j^-On account of the matter contained
in the report of the committee, published in
this number of our paper, we shall send it to
a'weat many individuals, many of whom we
slmTl notcxpcetwill be sufficiently interested
to wish to take our future numbers. But wo

feel it a duty which we owe to ourselves, and
to our old friends, THE THREE W1 T-

Dretnren in iviruanu wuuiu uui uiu 7. c ,

who commanded the light to shine out of , NESSES, to spread a true history of these
darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give mutters before the world. So that the lout
us the light of the knowledge of the glory aspersions cast upon their characters may
of God. And wc, notwithstanding our . be removed, and their testimony standin us
lon<* dispersion, feel that we still have a | true light before mankind.

treasure in earthen vessels, that the ex
cellency of the power may be of God and
not of us. And though we have been
troubled on every side, and perplexed
about many things, yet we are not in des-
pair. Though we have been persecuted,
and partly forsaken, cast down and almost
destroyed, yet WE feel that we again be-
gin to liavo the same spirit of faith, ac-
cordin', as it is written, “ I believed and

No one need send this number of our
paperbackto us again; nor need they expect
to receive out future numbers unless they
send forthem. We have paid postago on a

f reut many letters, since our residence iu
lirtlnnd, making enquiries of us relative
to the Church. W e hope now to bo able to
answer all their queries through our paper.
We havenotsaid this to preventour friends
from making enquiries.

14

TIIE ENSIGN

THE ENSIGN OF LIBERTY.

Kirtland, March, 1847.

Onr Adrfrevi.

On entering the editorial department of The
Ensigh or Liberty , as we haYe been called upon
to do by the united toice of a Conference of our
brethreu: and iu throwing out another periodical
before oar friends, and before the world ; we feel
called upon to give some of the prominent fea-
tures of the coarse which we intend to pursue in
managing its columns.

Its pages will be sacred to the best interests of
the Church or Christ — to the dissemination of
her principles, doctrine and government— and to
the spread of truth in general, on the all impor-
tant subject of a preparation for the second com-
ing of the Son of God — which, we verily be- !
lieve, is soon at hand.

The Angel of God, seen in vision by John, the I
R-vdator, “flying in the midst of heaven, hav- j
ing the everlasting gospel to preach unto them
that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and |
kindred, and tongue, and people/’ has made the j
earth his visit, and commuted the keys of that
Gospel — and the two Priesthoods by which it
may be understood, and preached, and ministe/ed
among meu — to man. And how again, man can
cry. to his fellow man, as in the days before the
flood, “ Fear God, aud give-glory. to him ;J'or the
hour of hie Judgment is cone.

Soon, yea, before another half century passes
away, atlulher Angel will follow*, saying, “ Baby-
lo • is fallen, is fallen.*’ That great confusion in
the religions of the world is down — it has fallen -
Fvery false system of religion, which men and
devils have invented, must tumble down when
Babylon falls — aud Babel must fall before Messi-
ah unveils the heavens, nud comes to earth, j
' without sin unto salvation.” We shall endea- I
vor to acquaint ourselves with, and faithfully I
chronicle “the signs of the times,” as they shall
appear in the heavens above, or in the earth be-
neath ; in the sun, moon, or stars, T>r among na-
tions or tribes — to far as those matters may bo
connected with the great- work of the last
days.”

An ancient record has been found— called the
book of Mormon — and translated, and has been
before the word for some seventeen years, unfold-
ing the history of this continent, and its inhabit-
ants as far back as its first peopling from the tow-
er of Babel, in the land of Shinar — which book
contains “the fulness of the everlasting gospel,” (
and the doctrine of Jesus in plainness — also ma-
ny unfulfilled prophecies of holy prophets, who
once lived upon this continent. It is fraught
with instructions of the highest importance to
this age. We shall, in our pages, from time to
time, make ench remarks relative to its validity,
its history, its translation, aud the object for which
God has sent it into the world, as we may deem
mportant toad lovers of truth.

Jts coming to light has broken the slumber of

ages. The dark curtain of the past, as it regards
our New World, has been torn away. Those
“Antiquities" of ruined cities, palaces, temples,
aqueducts, monuments, towers, fortifications, un-
intelligible inscriptions aud hieroglyphics, sepul-
chres and bones, can all now be perfectly under-
stood — although to account for them has puzzled
so many noted, scientific travelers of both the
Old and the New World.

The Jarediies, who came from the Tower after
“the confusion of language,” aud the Nephites,
who came from Jerusalem just before the Baby-
i lonish captivity, had to some extent the arts and
sciences among them. They kept histories, or
records, some of which have come to light in the
book ot Mormon. That record was written aud
kept by holy prophets, who once lived and wrote
on our own beloved American land. It was
translated from the ancient language in which it
was written, into our own tongue, by “a gift of
God.” Firmly believing this, we shall make
quotations from its pages, with as much certainty
of their sacred truth , as though we should quote
from the Bible.

Scientific and historic notices and extracts will
occasionally, if not frequently, appear in our col-
umns. But our polar-star will be religion — pure
and uudetiled religion. Wo intend to muko our
periodical a standard of troth — the insignia of
Liberty — the friend of man — the Signal for the
righteous to gather togethf.r, in preparation for
the second coining of the Son of God.

The Ensign ok Liberty will stand aloof from
the common political and commercial news of the
day — leaving those things to their proper chan-
nels. Its pages will not be polluted with the en-
venomed arrows of personal jealousies or strifes.
We shall endeavor to speak of the principles by
which men arc actuated, in order to show what-
ever good or evil results may bo expected from
them. When we speak of men, our object will
bo to benefit them — to save them from ail evil.

O’ A Genera! Conference of the Church of
Christ will be held in the Temple of the Lord,
in Kirtland, Ohio, commencing on the iiOth dav
of June next. Public preaching may he expected
on the Lord’s day, and the Conference business
to commence on Monday the 2lst, and continue
until finished. Some of the witnesses of the
book of Mormon will be in attendance. A gen-
eral attendance of all the friends *>f the great
work of tfie last days is requested. The travel-
ing at that time will be good east, west, north
and south, and we anticipate an interesting time.

O’ An article on the claims, pretensions, and
professions of James J. Strang, of Voree, Wis-
consin, will appear in our next number; showing
the entire falsity of the positions which he has
taken. We have the documenkfTor this purpose,
and we intend, for his good, and the benefit of'
our readers, to use them. He, together with his
friends, have been endeavoring, for a few months
past, through their little sheet , to pour bitterness
and falsehood upon our head. We shall not re-

i

/,

OF LIBERTY

turn railing for railing, but we rirall endeavor to
present him and hie pretensions in so clear a light
that all the honest in heart will be enabled to see
him in his- true character, “ a false proph«|r-a
wolf endeavoring to put on sheep’s clothing.”

O' A Treatise, also, on the Name of the
Church, viz— THE CHURCH OF CHRIST,
will appear in our next.

(HT One is already on file relative to the place#
of gathering pointed out of the Lord. It _ will
show our present position, in KIRTLAND, in its
true character. Kirtlarid was tho first place
pointed out. in this generation, lor the assem-
bling of the members of the Church of Christ.
It is the place where the first Bishop of the Church
was appointed. It is the place where “ the Law*
of the Lord ” was received. It is the place, where
the first Temple was reared in this generation by
the direct revelation of God. It is the place where
Satan made war upon the Church of Christ, and
caused her first Elders to imbibe a false spirit, to
take upon tinrfh a false name, to adopt false prin-
ciples. to go to war, to engage largely in ruinous
speculations, to oppress and persecute those who
were more righteous than they ; and finally, after
having done all these tilings, he caused them to
flee from’ Kirtland when no jnan pursued them.
Finally, Kirtland, old deserted Kirtland, is the

eagles* wihga, and brought yon onto myself-
Know therefore, that if ye will obey my voice
indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be
a peculiar treasure onto me, ABOVE ALL PEO-
PLE; for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be
onto me A KINGDOM OF PRI-ESTS, and an
holy nation.** That is, all other nations shall be
dependent on Israel for the troths and ministra-
tions of eternal life. Israel should be the head,
through which all divine intelligence should flow
to the race of man.

But when Israel refused to obey God, and Were
tamed aside into the waste howling wilderness,
that high privilege for them all to be Priests was
taken from them, and one of their own tribes was
chosen to bear, the Priesthood for the other elev-
en ; and were forbidden to minister to any Gen-
tile nation. In order to prepare men to judge
righteously, and govern correctly, a Tabernacle
was built among that people by direct revelation
from heaven, according to the pattern of heaven-
ly things. That is, it was formed with courts or
mansions, after the likeness of heaven.

In this holy Tabernacle, the Lord communed
with h’» servants. When seventy of tho Elders
of Israel, and officers over^them, were gathered
unto the Tabernacle, by the* direction of the; Lord.
He himself having promised Moses that “ I will
come down and -talk with thee there, and I will
take of the Spirit which is upon thee, and I will
pul it upon them, and they shall bear the burden

. f <u , . |A . of the people with theo, that thou bear it not thy-

place where the Lord’s house has been reared to ' , ‘ £ A , T , . , Iirrtr> ,-

; . fT bra ■srj.asr'sss::^

those whom he will choose with power from on , “ .

, . , . ,, . . 1 , , , took of the Spirit that Wi\s upon him, ana gave

high— thence to go to a 1 natious; for he has a ; loVR - U1 F

j it unto the seventy Elders ; *md it came to pass,

- 1 irJSrltS. 22 * I S HSfS E&

great work laid up in store.**

We invite our friends to tne mveet.gauon o. . ~ ^ Bnt two of the .evenly

this subject It ,s one fraught with much inter- j thejr tents> ^ d , lVy prcphesied ._

by the spirit of

v-iiurcu oi V.BH 91 | . , •_ | • tt Mii

years ago — all the prophecies
men to the contrary notwithstanding.
tl|gn to oar friends, that the true C

y true name, true spirit, true principles, true
doctrine, true government, aud true Christ-like

actions in all tilings, must rise up again in Kirt- i r- * - • „ XT

. .. , 6 * . .iii. upon them. Num. 11. Moses felt some ot the

land ; and tliev must put on the whole true ar- . c •

I* * i .i c a i finest touches of that same Spirit which endowed

mor of righteousness, and thus move forward in'*** 4104 r

the true and glorious work of “the last days,’* in

Kiruond, w*ch‘ he £ ™ ^Chu^^ This caused Joshua to -y ou. hy .lic jnt or
year. a,^,. .h^r^erino, fah. parted | ^ ^Sh^^^f

TZ to° our SXtTM the P**!-', ft

. _ * • , . - • . * ' heart, replied to him, “Enviest thou for m> sake '

the true name, true spirit, true pnncip.es. true i ’ , r ~ , , T „ -i.

„ . r ./ A. . ... ; Would to God that all the Lords people we r e

doctrine, true government, aud true Christ-like | , . . . . . . , ,, r . e •

c prophets, and that the Lord would put Ins fepirit

1 1 . . .. n- i.

order to enter into the true “rest of God,’* at the
coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ —
which js soon at hand.

and warmed the hearls of the holy Apostles .vf
Jesus. Paul declares like Moses, “ For yo may
all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, .and
all be comforted.” 1 Cor. 11:31.

Daring the Savior’s ministry on earth, he chose
a Twelve, and a Seventy, and set them apart to
bear his gospel to all the world ; first to Jew, and
then to Gentile. After he had passed through

The Endowment from ou High.

In looking over the history of God’s revela.-

tions to man, in the Old World as well as the | death, “that he might destroy him that had the
New, wo find some leading subject* upon which ; power of death, that is, the Devil ; and deliver
hung the destiny of nations, kindreds, tongues i them who through fear of death were all their
and people. Such is the subject before as. One | life-time subject to bondage;” He, after he had

more important would be hard to find.

When the Lord started to lead Israel from Go-
shen in Egypt up to the land of Canaan, he in-
tended (if they had obeyed him) to have made

risen from the dead, appeared to his ministers in
a mountain in Galilee, and said to them, “All
power is given onto me in heaven and in earth ;
Go yc therefore and teach all nations — go ye into

them the ministers of salvation to all the rest of j all the world, and preach the gospel to every cren-
the world. Ex. 19 : 4, 5, 6. “ Ye have seen what j tore, beginning at Jerusalem. And behold, I send
I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bear you on i the promise of my Father upon yon ; but tarry ye

16 - THE ENSIGN

in tb« city of Jerusalem until ye be ENDUED them, and hie countenance did smile upon them'
WITH POWER from on high.” The Apoetlea and shine upon them ; and behold, they were aa
and Elders, with the women, and Mary the mo- whitens the countenance, and also the garments
ther of Jesus, and his brethren — after witnessing of Jesus; and behold, the whitene* thereof did
his ascent into heaven from the pinacle of mount ayeeed all whiteness— so that nothing earthly
Olivet — returned onto Jerusalem, and abode in could be sq white.” Book of Nehi, chap. 9.
an upper room of the Temple. The endowment at the Tabernacle in the days

There about an hundred and twenty disciples, of Moses, the endowment in the Temple at Jeru-
male and female, waited on the Lord for ‘-the salem, in the daysof Peter, and the encircling in
promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have fire on this land, in the day* of Nephi, we have'
heard of me.” They were all with one accord briefly touched. But we have our hearts fixed
in one place. O think of them ! Think of that upon on endowment, vshich the Lord has declared
little band of onenes ; and then think of the jar- unto us shall take place in this age. And that
ring sectsof the present day. All, yes, all praying that descent of power must fall upon the Min-
far professing to) to the same God, in the name isters of the two Priesthoods, viz. the Apostles,
of the same Jesus, for the same Holy Spirit of Prophets, Elders, Priests, and membors of tbs
peace. But to return : “And suddenly there came Ciiuscn op Christ ; and upon none others ; wo
a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty hove a foitAfnl testimony from tAe Heavens —
wind, and it filled all the house where they were and lAat it will bo ini Kirtland, and no otAer
sitting, and there appeared unto them cloven place, we sAall sAow.
tongues, like as zf fire, and it sat upon each of f ,

tbem and they.4ere all filled with the Holy • P° “ ~”inurd.]

Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as

the Spirit gave them utterance.” PROSPECTUS.

Now these first Elders and Ministry are quali- Whereas W. E. McLellw proposes publishing
fied to “go into all tho world and preach lhu goe- a Iuont yy periodical in Kirtland, Lake County,
pel to every creature, for they can now speak Ohio, to be devoted to the dissemination. of reli-

SSttSf tS 7 WU ^stTgo u, «2& h * or * prmciple * and 10

«"Tucarion to for ^^hT^edTem! The Ensign of Liberty of the Church of Christ.

and liberally qualified them. . Onr object is to render the paper not only in-

From Jerusalem the word of God went out, by teresting) bat highly useful in the diffusion of the
a living Mmistlj^ “ mto all the earidj, an their principles of Messiah’s kingdom, and of

words unto the ends rf the world. Rom.l0:18. fhst holy dorkrinc, and those correct practices.
It flew, Md cratmned to fly, through eindef - w hich should actuate his "peculiar people,” in
.gable labors of men called of God by direct rev- pre?aring them for the KCOND AD vzxt, add glo-
elation from heaven, and then se apa to the nous penpal reign of Jesus with all the church
holy work of the ministry by the laying on of t j ie y ir8t born, for oue thousand years, on this
hands of th^b who had also been called and set carlh . whi|e jt rests from al) its portion*, aft „
apsit ; until it “ was preached to every creature having been cleansed Ay fire, and bcchrao the
which is under heaven. Col. 1 : 23. habitation of all the holy.

But the Lord had a people whom he called We will try, in this paper, to set forth the cau-
“ other sheep,” John 10. 16. They were not Gen- ses of the present divided state of the protesed
tiles, but descendants of Abraham — of Joseph, Christian denominations; why it is that the wfyd,
who was sold into Egypt, who were led away or rather the people in it, mre so confused ; and
from Jerusalem about six hundred years before why there is so much contention in this profess-
the coming of Christ. They settled in the New edly enlightened age, respecting the religion of
World. They had become numerous, and they Jesus. The signs of tlie times will form a con-
had claim upon the Messiah. Consequently, af- Rpicuous item in our columus.
ter be had been crucified, dead, buried, arose, and Finally, we will try to show what the world
ascended into heaven, He descended among the niay expect as the final termination of all this
descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh on this Babel ; and then to the righteous, the true path
continent, and taught them his gospel. He also for them to walk in, in order for them to be
chose a quorum of Twelve disciples among them, clothed in ‘‘robes ok white linen, clean and
and ordained them to minister to the inhabitants tehUc,” when tlie day of perfect peace 6hall up-
of this continent. “And it came to pass, when pear.

they were all baptised, and had come up out of The Ensign ok Liberty will be edited by W.
the water, the Holy Ghost did fall upon them, and E. McLellix, (for the present,) and published
they were filled with the Holy Spirit and with every month, on a medium sheet, in pamphlet
fire. And behold, they were encircled about as form, containing sixteen pages each, at One Dol-
if it were fire ; and it came down from heaven ; lar per year, in advance.

and Angels did come down out of heaven, and did U* Ail letters to the Editor must be post-paid
Tninidof unto them. And it eame to pass that in order to insure attention. — Remember that. —
while the Angels were ministering onto the disci- Our friends abroad are respectfully invited to send
pies, behold, Jesta? came and stood in their midst, us their names, and their dollars, and wo will see
and ministered unto them. And Jesus blessed that their papers are regularly mailed to them.

THE ENSIGN OF LIBERTY,

OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.

TOL. I. KIRTLAND, LIKE COUNTY, OHIO, APRIL, 1847. -

NO. 2-

Kirtland, O., Dec. 2d, 1846.
My old , well tried, and beloved friend, Da-
vid W IIITMER I

I seat myself (after having bowed be-
fore God, and asked wisdom to direct me
on this important occasion) to address you,
on a subject that is neardvto— my heart
than all the blessings earthcan afford :
viz. the matters of our holy religion.

VV e moved into this place on the 29th
of October last. VV o came here in order
to be with our brethren. The “church
of Christ” hero nuipbers at present about
one hundred, and they meet and worship
in the Temple at least four times every
week. Leonard Rich is at present pre-
siding Elder, and our meetings are con-
ducted with much spirit. We lived near
the mouth of Rock river, on the Missis-
sippi, since 1839, until June, 1845. I,
with yourself, and many other noble,
honest, warm-hearted, generous - souled
men, were driven from the church because
of iniquity, and sore, hard and high-hand-
ed oppression in her Leaders. W e sor-
rowed, we mourned, we grieved, and we
wept; but we had to flee, or bo crushed
in their ruin. In retrospecting the varied
scenes of all my past life, upon no period
do I look with more unfeigned pleasure,
than those few days that I was privileged
to feed David and Oliver, at my table,
when they were outcasts from their wives
and children, from their homes and prop-
erty, and from “ the church of Christ,”
and all her privileges, by lawless and un-
principled men, “who feared not God,
neither regarded man.”

Those past times and scenes have of
late passed before my mind, and are rivet-
ed upon my heart. For' a little more
than three years past, I have been striv-
ing to get back upon the old foundation,
and to enjoy that same light . and spirit

of truth that you and I once enjoyed when
we were blessed with each other s society
— when we lived in church fellowship to-
gether. Ah ! I well remember our jour-
ney to Jackson county, Missouri, and the
scenes that afterwards transpired there. —
But I’ll let those things pass.

At the death of Joseph Smith, I looked
around and reflected, and I finally hoped
that S. Rigdon had reformed, as he said,
and that he would assist in carrying out
the original design of God in raising up
his church; and I united with him, and
remained about six months. But I found
in him (after a little trial) hypocrisy, dis-
honesty and fanaticism. I saw that with
him I could have no hope of future pros-
perity, so as to bring in “the rest of God.”

I quit him, and last spring we settled in
Shalersville, in order that I might pursue
i my profession. While there busily en-
I gaged in the practice of medicine, I was
1 visited by James J. Strang of Voree, Wis-
consin. He laid siege to me in order to
have me unite with him in his organiza-
tion. I gave him some encouragement,
and took the matter under advisement,
but the more I prayed and reflected, the
more I have doubted his claims. He
has published my name as one of the
twelve, but ho did so entirely contrary
to my will or wish'. The brethren here
generally received him as the Successor of
Jos. Smith, according to his profession —
He told me that all the witnesses to the
book of Mormon yet alive were with him,
except Oliver. I think he told me he
had a letter from Hiram Page. He said
he expected you all at Voree soon.

Now sir, let me tell you, that for two
or three months past, I have been continu-
ally struggling before the Lord, like Daniel
of old, to know when our captivity would
cease. My mind is more at rest on that
point. I have been shown that the church

18

THE E

would prosper, if David and Oliver would
step forward into her front rank, and oc-
cupy their proper places before the Lord,
their brethren, and the world. You re-
member it is said, in a revleation, that if
“ Joseph transgressed, he should not have
power save to appoint another in his
stead.' 1 In the year 1834, when Joseph
led his army to Missouri, when lie neared
Clay county, he expressed to his confi-
dante around him great anxiety of mind
respecting one important duty which he
said he tiad to perform, viz. to appoint
You his successor as Seer. You will re-
member, lie appointed a special confer-
ence at L. Wight’s, on the 8th of July.
1834. Benj. Winchester and Leornwji
Kich have both told mo that lie laid his
hands on you, in that conference, and ap-
pointed and ordained you to be the Lord’s
Beer, “in his stead,” provided anything
should bofal himself, so as to remove him
from time. I was at that conference part
of the day, and well remember that I saw
you ordained. Should Joseph transgress,
he should not have power except to ap-
point another. Now .all acquainted with
i.is history, from that day to the day of
his death, know perfectly well that he
never had power with God to accomplish
any ono great or good object that he ever
commenced. Every thing seemed to be
marred in his hands, until finally lie died
“ns a fool dietli,” at the hands of his ene-
mies.

Now brother David, all who know you,
know your timid and reserved disposition
— your unassuming manners, & c. But
inasmuch as the Lord lias appointed you,
you cannot shrink from your duty, and
then have any hope of eternal Fife. You
must obey, or sink in utter darkness for-
ever. 1 am fuliy convinced, that howev-
er many pretenders may rise up, assaying
to order and to regulate the house of God,
provided they should even prosper for a
little season, yet God does not hold him-
self bound to guide their ships — soon they
run against breakers, and are dashed to
pieces; as the Twelve, Higdon and Strang
have done.

There is no man in this world in whom
the church in Kirtland have that confi-
dence that they have in David Whitmer.
i mentioned the names of David and Oli-

N S I G N

ver to brother Bump a fowWonings since,
and told him I thought they would yet
come to Kirtland to live. “Oh!” said he,
“ I would fast and pray for two weeks, if
I thought that would bring them.” I am
aware that you wore, ns it were, kicked
out of the church, because forsooth you
could not believe wickedness was right
even in Prophets. I am aware also that
they endeavored to ruin your and Oli-
ver’s characters, as well as your pr operty,
so ns to make, or rather try to make you
vagabonds ;o the earth They (1 have
been told) published a!l manner of false-
hoods about you. But Joseph is g me,
and is reaping (to some extent) his re-
-ward. 1 feel to let his ashes rest in peace.
But my dear brother, the church is bleee-
ing at every pore, for the want of faith . hi
Shepherds to take the oversight of the
flock.

1 labor here with and for this people
both clay- and night. I feci as though I
was, to some extent, alone, although I
have scores of good, honest, warm-heart-
ed saints around me, and the Lord is
abundantly good. Will you, sir, step for-
ward and take the front rank, in order to
HE-ESTARU8H “the only true and living
church upon the face of the whole earth,”
or will von not? 1 ask you in the name
of my master, Jesus of Nazareth. 1 ask
you in the name, and in the behalf of the
church in Kirtland. 1 ask you in behalf
of all the saints seattere i through >ut the
world. 1 ask you in behalf of the great
work of God in the lust days. I ask you
in view of building uo a holy people unto
God. And 1 ask you in view of a glittering
crown that would await you at Iris appear-
ing and kingdom. Yes, I ask you, because
of that love which wo all hear to an injured
man of God. to whom an holy Angel once
said, “David, blessed is he that kcepoth the
commandments of God.” Yes, l a sic you
to now come forward, that all the quorums
may be filled up in the church,, so that
she may present herself. before her Head,
even Jesus, as his true Bride, having on her
wedding garments. We mean to publish
a pamphlet, setting the false calumnies,
published bv the Leaders in the church
against the Witnesses, in their true light,
and exonerating them, as far as truth will
do it. We think justice requires this at

19

TO

or LIB

the hands of the church. When this is
done, \vc arc very anxious to know whe-
ther you will take hold with us to build
up the true church of Christ, or whe-
ther we must trust in God, and travel the
strait path that leads to the right hand of
the Lmd without ydur society, influence,
or autnority.

I received a letter from Oliver a few
weeks since. They were all well. He
thinks Strang is a wicked man.

Brother David, inasmuch as yoil were
ordained by Joseph, and that was sanc-
tioned in Heaven, then no man can lead
this church out of her present distress,
and then onward to triumph, but yourself,
unless you refuse and fall, through unbe-
lief and hardness of heart. I here is, , - ,

therefore, even now, a great responsibili- j da.ned, and now I .would say to you,
tv resting upon you. The church now | Nathan said to David, “TnouART
calls upon you to conic and take your! max.” You must lead the church of
and make the seat of the . first

E R T Y. ' 19

you, “Come thou with us, and we will do
thee good, for the Lord has spoken good
concerning Israel.” And you (we feel)
will do us good also. I feel assured, that
if you and Oliver wouldcome out of your
seclusions, and again bear your testimo-
nies, all, yes, all the honest in heart in all
the world, would gather into the fold of
Christ, and then the end would come. —
Come, then, and let us keep the law of
God ourselves, and also see that others do
likewise, and Zion will arise.

Bro. David, when you receive this let-
ter, wo want you should call all your fa-
ther’s family together, and read it to
them, and consider it well. Then write
to us here, and tell us how you view the
matter. You know you have been or-

, as

Thou art the

place, .

Leaders in the church here in Kirtland.
For this was the first Stake of Zion ever
pointed out, in this generation. \\ c hav o
the promise that in this place, ’>'■ c snail
have' an endowment from on high. I hen
the Elders, thus prepared, shall go to Gen-
tile and then to the Jew, in all the world,
in power.

The apostate Twelve have fled to tnc
wilderness, with a large body of follow,
ers, to endure the severity of the judg-
ments of God, in their destruction, which
is certain. Riglon lives near Chambcrs-
burg, l’a., surrounded by only a Jew, fol-
lowers; but few as they are, their hearts
arc full of desires for' blood and war.—
Strang pitched his head quarters in Yo-
ree, Wisconsin, and has made the notorious
Dr. J. C. Bonnet his chief counsellor and
" Pontiff. Big title truly. All their races
must be short, for they are not built upon
the Rock. Tiioy must come down. They
have all left Kirtland out of view, as the
centre of their operations, and it is the sc-
ry place where God designs to build up
his kingdom, and to establish bis saints,
that the pure in heart may- gather here
from all the world. Hero 1 feel like
standing and pleading the cause of God,
until 1 see righteousness go forth “as a
lamp that burnetii.” Now, as Mosessaid
to Hobnb, his brother-in-law, inthcwil-)
dcrnes<, (Numbers 10: 29,) so we say to

j Christ to triumph — to glory. David was
anointed by Samuel, (lSanr. 16,) to stand
at the head of Judah and Israel, many
years before Saul ceased to reign. De-
vid fled from the rags of Saul, and lived
among the Philistines in Ziklag, under tho
government of Israel’s greatest enemies,
until Saul’s death — until' his cup of ini-
quity jvas full. Did you fieo from tho
wrath o)i Joseph, and his Danitcs, and

have you lived since among the Missouri-
ans, the greatest enemies of the church,
until Joseph’s death — until the cup of his
iniquity was full ! After the death of Saul,
David inquired of God, (2 Sam, 2,)saying,
“Shall 1 go up into any of the cities ot
Judah,” and the Lord answered, “go up,”
.and he went up. Now, sir, the church in
this placo calls upon you to come up, and
to stand up among them, and direct them
to God and to Heaven.

Will you, my dear brother; inquire of
God, and conic np and take your place
among the people of the Lord here, or
will you let another take your crown? I
would urge you by all that you consider
sacred to you in life, and in eternity, to
let your trump lie still no longer — to let
your harp hang upon the willows no
longer, . Arise, shake yourself, and mag-
nify your calling, and then your crown
will lie sure — will be great.

We now intend, as soon as we hear
1 from you, to write and publish a parr.-

20

THE' BNSIG N

phlet, calling a general conference, to be
held here in the house of the Lord, in June
next, in order to re-organize the church
upon her old foundation, provided you
will attend. Oliver, we think, will be
sure to be here, and June, we think,
would suit better than April — that would
give more time, and then traveling will be
better both by sea and by land.

Tell your father (if alive) that he shall
yet see good days. We want your rela-
tives here with us in conference. As
soon as next spring, we intend to have a
press in operation here, and an “ Ensign ” i
will be reared to the nations, and a warn-
ing to all people. Brother Bump says, if
you will come, a house shall be fitted up
ready for your reception. Come then,
“for all things will be ready.” Brother
■David, I want you should answer this let-
ter immediately.

VVe laid aside important business in or-
der to write, and we have labored hours
when we should have slept, in order to
get it in readiness to send to you. Then
if you cannot write yourself, get Jacob or
Hiram to write, and don’t you scarcely
sleep until you give us an answer, either
yea or nay. You must know that I love
you, and that I love the cause of God, and
that has moved me onward in this matter.

As ever,

W. E. McLELLIN.

An answer to the above has not
yet been recived.

The Name of the Church.

At a conference of the church held in
Kirtland, Ohio, on the 23d January, 1847,
after many remarks by those present,
it was motioned by W. E. McLellin,
and seconded by Martin Harris, that this
church take upon them the name of the
church of Christ, and wear it hence-
forth — shorn of all appendages or altera-
tions. The motion was put by Elder
Leonard Rich, the chairman, and carried

We will make a few remarks on names in
general- .

The first duty which the first man,
Adam, ever performed, after he was plac-
ed in the garden of Eden, “to dress it,
and to keep it,” was to give names “to all
cattle, and to every fowl of the air, and
to every beast of the field; and whatso-
ever Adam called, every living creature,
that was the name thereof.” And when
woman had been builded out of a rib taken
from man’s side, and brought unto man,
the -first tiling that he did was to declare,
“sho shall be called woman.” And af-
ter the woman, his wife, had transgress-
ed, and also given him of the fruit, and
he had eaten, and God h ! nnssed upon
him the decree, “ for du-' mart, and
unto dust shall thou reto.;:, ; n Adam
rose up and called his wife’s name Eve.

Anciently, the names given, were in
some degree significant of the circum-
stance or thing which gave rise to the
name, such as Eve, i. e. living; Cain,
i. e. gotten or acquired; Seth, i. e. ap-
pointed ; Noah, i. e. rest or comfort ; Pe-
leg, i. e. division ; Abraham, i. e. father
of a great multitude ; Moses, i. e. drawn
out, &c. &e. When those names were
given, we are aware that men communed
with the Author of universal nature, by
direct revelation from heaven. But since
] men have ceased to commune with God,
and to receive pure wisdom from that pure
! Fountain, we are not surprised that little
importance should be attached to names,
as well ns to every thing else, among a
people who “ cannot call or name Jesus,
Lord,” because they dare not admit that
the Holy Ghost reveals to men now, as in
days of old. Consequently they cannot
say that Jesus is the Lord, unless the Ho-
ly Ghost -reveals it unto them. They
may believe he is Lord, upon the testimo-
ny of others, but they cannot say he is,
or that they know he is, except by direct
communion with the heavens.

On reflecting upon the past, we have
had some singular feelings, in looking

with much feeling arid spirit, in the af- over the history of the church of Christ,
firmative — without a dissenting voice. which was organized on the 6th day of

VVe have a few things to say with re- April, 1830. How it was possible for so
gard to this name, which wf. have taken many thousands of people, who all pro-
upon us, to wear unaltered until the com- ' fessed to believe in the divine authority
ing of our Lord; and in order to do so, I of the book of Mormon, to take upon them

21

O F LI E

fictitious or false names, and wear them
so long in open defiance of some of the
plainest sayings in that sacred r f.cord,
wo shall leave for those who are sticklers
for those far-fetched names, with all their
changes and appendages, to answer, after
they read what we have to write on this
important subject.

From April, 1830, until May, 1834,
the church organized, consequent upon
the coming forth of the book of Mormon,
would not receive, acknowledge, wear, or
even countenance any other name, except
the name of the church of Christ. All
the revelations given, laying the whole
foundation of the church of God, from
the first up to May ’34, were given to in-
dividuals, conferences, or the whole body
of the church of Christ, who were wear-
ing his name, and his name only. But
for reasons detailed and assigned in our
first number, that people, once so highly
favored, took upon tljeni another name,
imbibed another spirit, taught other prin-
ciples, and consequently wore another
character before God and the world.

They laid aside the name of Christ,
and took to themselves another name,
which the mouth of the Lord did not
name, viz. Latter Day Saints. This was
done in a conference called in Kirtland,
Ohio, on the 3d day of May, 1834. It
was done before the temple of the Lord
here was finished. And the inscription
upon the front stone is, “ HOUSE OF
THE LORD, built by the church of
the Latter Day Saints, A. D. 1834.,,
Some of the principal men in the church
were much grieved at this, hut had not
power at that time to alter or change the
course of things. .

Thus matters remained, so far as the
name was concerned, until the spring of
1837, when many of the first Elders in
the church became so dissatisfied, that
they come out, took the original name of
THE CHURCH of Christ upon them, and
Eider Martin Harris, being among them,
he furnished the money, and Elder Leon-
ard Rich went to Chardon, and had this
name recorded upon the records of the
county. This alarmed the Leaders of
the Latter Day Saints, and they, in con-
clave assembled, altered their name, and
called themselves the Church of Christ of

E R T T i

Latter Day Saints, and hastened a man
to get that recorded also. But they were
a day too late. The others were before
them. And thus stand the records rela-
tive to this matter.

Some time after the Leaders of the
Latter Day Saints removed to the west,
and still not being satisfied with their
name, they altered again, and called
themselves “The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints.” This, so far as
we know, was the last alteration which
that strange and singularly curious peo-
ple made in the name of their church.
At least, the last claimant to the Leader-
ship of that people, has hoisted that name
at mast head.

But now for the reasons, that induced
the conference and church in Kirtland, in
the first month in 1847, to take, yes, joy-
fully take upon them — shorn of all its al-
terations and appendages — the original
NAME of THE CHURCH OF CnRIST.

The report of the committee, in the
first number of the Ensign of Liberty,
gives some of the crimes which were
committed by those who had violated the
word of God — who had covered them-
selves with the name of Latter Day
Saints. Had they not been in transgres-
sion, they never would have taken upon
them tl false name. The great body of
that people never would have been under
the necessity of fleeing from civilized
man, to hunt a home in the wild, wide,
waste, howling wilderness' of the west,
among the red men of the forest. No.
We distinctly say, No. t^pd raised up
the government of the United States, and
established them in freedom, in order to
give protection and perfect liberty to all
classes of religious denominations in the
world, who do not violate the majesty of
the laws of tho land. But they are gone.
They have fled to the Indian’s home—
away to California.

Isaiah seems to have seen them, when
he said, 65.-11 — 15, “But ye are they
that forsake the Lord, that forget my holy
mountain, that prepare a table for that
troop, and that furnish the drink offering
unto that number. Therefore will I num-
ber you to tho sword, and ye shall all
bow down to the slaughter : because when
I called, ye did not answer; when I spake,

J

22

THE E N S I G X

ye did not hear; but did evil before mine assembled around their Temple, listening
eyes, and did choose that wherein 1 do- to the' holy words of fire, as they proceeded
lighted not. Therefore thussaith the Lord from this aged man’s mouth thus : “I say
God, Behold my servants shall cat, but i unto you, that 1 have caused that ye
ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants j should assemble yourselves together, that
shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold 1 might rid my garments of your blood,
my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be , at this period of time when 1 am about* Jo
ashamed: behold, my servants shall sing go down to my grave,. {hut I might go
for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for so r- down in peace, and my immortal spirit
row oi‘ heart, and shall howl for vexation may join tile choirs above singing tire
of spirit. And ye shall leave youfc name praises oT a just God. And moreover,
for a curse unto my chosen : for the Lord 1 have caused that ye should assemble
.God shall slay thee, and call his servants yourselves together, that I might declare
by another name. That he who bless- unto you that I can no longer be your
eth himself in the earth shall bless him- teacher, nor your king; for even at tlris
self in the God of truth.*’ time, my whole frame doth tremble ex-

The above quotation, every sensible cecdingly, while attempting to speak to
reader, at all familiar with the Latter you. Ye behold that 1 am old, and am
Day Saints/ and their history, ahd with about to yield up this mortal frame to its
the position which the church in Kirtland mother earth. 1 have served you, walk-
has no '.v taken, c2H-tfpj)ly for themselves, ing with a clear conscience before God.”.
Again, Isaiah 62,' “ For Zion’s sake will Finally, after many hours speaking, and
I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s after all the multitude had entered into a
sake I will not rest, until the righteous- covenant with God, to do his will, and to
ness thereof go forth as brightness, and be obedient to his commandments in all
the salvation thereof, as a lamp that burn- things that he should command' them —
eth. The Gentiles shall see thy righte- their teacher and kingsaid, “There is no
ousness, and all kings thy glory: and other name given, whereby salvation ecm-
tliou shalt be called by a new name, eth; therefore, I would that you. should
which the mouth of the Lord shall name." take upon you the name of Christ, all you
The abovo so completely accords with that have entered into this covenant with
sayiugs in the book- of Mormon, that our God; for whosoever doeth this, shall, be
next quotation will be taken from that | found at the right hand of God, for ho
holy record. King Benjamin reigned ! shall know the name by which he is call-
over all the land of Zarahcmla, and he j eu ; for lie shall ho called by the name of
reigned in righte ousness, he feared God, | Christ. And now, it shall come to pass
anil communed with angels. IvToaFlEtT "that whosoever wllftiot take upon them the
close of his "life, he caused a proclama- name of Christ, must bo called by somo
tion to bo made throughout all the land, other name; therefore ho findeth himself
for all his people to be assembled, in order on the left hand of God. A^id I would
to hear him, from his own mouth, pro- that ye should remember also, that this
claim Mosiah, his son, his successor, is the name that I said 1 would give
“And moreover, (said lie,) 1 shall give unto you, that never should be blot-
this people a name, that thereby they ted out, except it bo through transgres-
may bo distinguished above all the peo- sion : therefore, take heed that you do
pie which the Lord God hath brought out not transgress, that the name be not blot-
of the land of Jerusalem; and this I do, ted out of your hearts.. I say unto you,
because they have boen a diligent people l would that ye should remember to re-
in keeping the commandments of the tain the name written in your hearts, that
Lord. And I give unto them a name, ye aro not found on the left hand of God,
that never shall be blotted out, except it but that ye hear and know the voice by
be through transgression.” Book of Mo- which ye shall be called, and also^ the
siah, chap. 1. ^ name by which he shall call^you: for,

Ah! hear that righteous king preach to how knoweth a man the master whom he
his people, while multitudes of them were ’hath not served, and who is a stranger

23

OF LIBERTY.

unto hint, and is far from the thoughts
and intents of his heart! And again:
Doth a man take an ass whioh belongeth
to his neighbor, and keep him ? I say
unto you, nay ; he will not even suffer
him -to feed among his flocks, but will
drive him away, and oast him out. I say
unto, you, that even so it shall be among
you? if ye know not the name by which
ye are called.” Book of Mosiah, chap. 3.

These were the last words of a great-
kin-r, over a great people, felling them,
by °he direction of an Angel of God,
tliat if they were found in fictitious
names, they should, at the last day, be
driven away like a slray ass into outer
darkness. Where, O! where is that
once highly favored, enlightened, good
and great poopfc, who thl ' ew awa y llie
name of CnmsT, and took to themselves
the name of Latter Day Saints? Ah!
their Great Ones have fallen!! and the
flock, like the wild ass’s colt, ‘‘have fled
to the mountains — away to California.

But wo are not done with this subject
yet. When the Savior of the world vis-
ited this, continent in person, after his
ascension from mount Olivet, near Jeru-
salem, he taught the Nephites his gospel
in plainness. Ho chose, ordained, conse-
crated and endowed Twelve Disciples,
viz. Apostles, and sent them out on this
land to preach the gospel to their fellow
men. Many believed, wero immersed,
and received into the church. “And it
came to pass that they did do all things,
even as Jesus had commanded them-
And tliev who were baptised in the name
of Jesus were called the church of

Christ.” .

“And it came to pass that the Disciples
of Jesus were journeying, and were
preaching the things, which they had both
heard and seem and were baptizing in !
the name of Jesus, and the disciples were
gathered together, and were united in
mighty prayer and tasting. And Jesus:
again showed himseii unto them, and
stood in their midst, and said, What will |
yo that I shall gw-e unto you ? And they
answered, Lord, we will thatthou wouldst
tell us the name whereby we shall call
this church, for there are disputations
among the people concerning this matter.^
And the Lord said unto them. Verily, ve-

rily I say unto, you, why is it that the
people should murmur and dispute, be-
cause of this thing? Have they notread
tho scriptures, which say, ye must take
upon you the name of Christ, which is
my name? For by this name shall ye
be called at the last day. * * Ye shall
call the church in my name; and ye
shall call upon the Father in my name,
that he will bless the church for my sake;
and how be it my church, save it bo
called in my name ? For if a church bo
called in -Moses’ name, then it be Moses’
church ; or if Jt be called in the name of
a man, then it be the church of a man ;
but if -it bo called in my name, then it is
my church, if 4 so be that they are -built
upon my Gospel — rand if so, then will the
Father show forth his own works in it.
But if burlt upon the works of men, or
upon tho works of the devil, verily I say
unto you, they have joy in their works
for a season, and by and by tho end com-
eth, and they are hewn down and cast
into tho fire, from whence therde no re-
turn; for their works do follow them, for
it is becauso of their works that they are
hewn down; therefore remember the tilings
that I have told you.” Book of Nephi,
chapter 12. .

Did the Leaders in the church of Gnnst
remember what Jesus said to the ^ Neph-
ites, respecting the name by which the
church should be called? If they had,
do you suppose that they ever could have
thrown away that new, that holy name,
which was given by the mouth ot tho
Lord himself? And then taken upon
them for the church the name ot Latter
Bay Saints 7 And then, when they saw
their mistake, through the testimony and
labors of Elder Martin Harris -and Olli-
ers, why did they not return to the Lord,
and take that new name — that name which
came down from heaven, shorn of all ap-
pendages and alterations? lhcn they
would not now bo found on tho left hand,
where the bitterest judgments are falling
upon them — even hunger, nakedness, fa'-
minc and death.

But you may ask, why so much impor-
tance attached to the name ? We answer,
because the Lord from heaven himself has
given to it so much power, yes, power in
THE NAME, as to soy that all those wcar-

i

24

THB ENSIGN

ing all the Babylonish names of all the Their numbers soon increased to hun-
jafring sectaries of all the world, will be dreds, and then to thousands, all being
found on the left hand. O, said I, when 1 taught and nil believed, that the coming
looked at the importance of this all-impor- forth of that divine Record was the
tant subject, arise, O arise, and recommend Lord's signal sign for the “gathering to-
to thy friends and brethren to take upon gether of a remnant of his people, from
them for the church the charming name of all nations, tribes and countries.”
the church op Christ. Those few individuals were vory care-

We have done as the Lord commanded, ful to take the name of the church op
and we have hoisted the Ensign of Lib- Christ, and none other, for their chnrac-
erty, of the church of Christ; and we teristlc name. They believed with Paul,
have unfurled our banner to all the hon- “that blindness in part is happonod to Is-
est in heart in all the world, with this in- rael, until the fulness of the Gentiles be
scriptioo, “Holiness to <the Lord, in come in.” And more, they, by the aid
name, in principle, in doctrine, in govern - and light of that book, firmly believed that
ment, in life, and in all our practices for- this century, yea, this age, this gencra-
cver.” And we invite all those who wish tion would wind up the career of wicked-
to meet the Lord in peace at his coming, ness on this earth for at- least one thou-
to come out from all the names of men sand years — that there were men on the
and of devils ; and from all dead works — earth then — which was seventeen years
all evil spirits, and from all unrighteous- ago — who would not die with old age, be-
ness, and then take upon you the new fore the last vestige of the rebellious a-
name which the mouth of the Lord has gainst God and his divine government,
named, even the name of Christ would be swept as with the besom of de-

Come — we say with all our hearts, struction from all the face of the habita-
come, and take upon you not only.tho able earth — 'that this is the age for all the
name, but obey the ordinances of the “ful- signs spoken of to precede the Second
ness of the everlasting gospel,” and there- Advent of the Son of God to the earth the
by r be partakers of the divine nature of second time, “ without sign unto salva*
Christ also ; and thus escape all the false i tion,” to be shown forth. Yes, they be-
names, natures, spirits' and all evil works ] lieved, and we now believe, that this is the
that are abroad in the world already to time, the age, the hour of God’s judg-
swallow you up. Yes, notwithstanding ments on the earth. “And I saw another
the stigma, or the /name that has been angel come down from heaven, having
left for a curse to the Lord’s chosen,” great power; and the earth was lighted
come and unite with the true followers of with his glory. And he cried mightily
the Lamb of God, although their numbers with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the
may be few; and they, like Paul and the great is fallen, is fallen.” * * “And 1 heard
Disciples in his day, “are made as the another voice from heaven, saying, Come
filth of the earth, and the off-scouring of out of her, my people, that ye be not
all things.” Remember that Christ — the partakers of her sins, and that ye receive
gread Head of the church — was made not of her plagues.” This mighty angel,
perfect through suffering, and thus has be- and this voice from heaven will be seen
come the Author of eternal salvation to all and heard ere many years shall roll away
them that obey him. Ed. after 1847.

[ 7b be continued. ] According to PauPs reasoning, in the

* 11th of Romans, the Jews obtained mercy

The Places ol Gathering- direct from the Lord, and through them
After the book of Mormon was found, and their ministers, mercy and salvation
translated, and published to the world, a were carried to the Gentiles. But in this
few persons, only six, associated them- age it is reversed. The Lord has now
selves together in church fellowship, in commenced his work among the Gentiles,
the town of Manchester, New York, pio- and thence he designs to send it to his
fessing to believe that that book contain- covenant people — the long despised and
ed sacred truth, as well us the Bible. — trodden down among the ten tribes, the

OF LIBERTY

•25

Lnmanites and the Jews. “ That through
the mercy of the Gentiles they may ob-
tain mercy.”. These things must all be
so, or otherwise the prophecies of the ho-
ly Prophets never. can be fulfilled. ‘*lhe
first shall be last, and the last first in all

things.” . . ,

There was a great anxiety in the minds
of the 'first believers, the Saints, the Lord’s
disciples in this church, after it was firstor-
ganized, to know relative to their gathering
together, to know where that spot of earth
was, on which they could assemble and
keep the laws of their God, and also the
laws of tfie land. Anxiety and uncertamy
remained in their minds on this point un-
til, in December, 1830, a revelation was
given to the church through their prophet
Joseph, in Canandaigua, New York, say-
ing : “ And again a commandment I give
unto the church, that it is expedient in me
that they should assemble together at
the Ohio.” This created some feeling in
the church, and they came together and
unitedly called upon God that he would
“through him whom he had appointed un-
to that gift and work by the voice of his
saints through the prayer of faith,” give
unto the church more light upon the sub-
ject of their removal and gathering together
to the Ohio.. This was on the first day of
January, 1831. In the answer of the
Lord, we find this paragraph: “And that
ye might escape the power of tho enemy,
and be gathered unto me a righteous peo-
ple, without spot and blameless: where-
fore, for this cause, I gave unto you the
commandment, that ye should go to the
Ohio : and there I will gave unto you my
law, and there you shall be endowed
with power from on high ; and from
thence, whomsoever 1 will shall go forth
' among all nations, and it shall be told them
what they shall do, for I have a great
work laid up in store.”

The above was very cheering to some,
but a few were grieved, and turned away
from the church, and never walked with
her afterwards. During the same month,
and in the same place, the word of the
Lord came unto the Prophet again, say-
ing, “And inasmuch as my people shall
^assemble themselves to the Ohio, I have
kept in store a blessing such as is not
known among the children of men, and it

shall be poured forth upon their heads ; •

and from thence men shall go forth into all

nations.” . ...

During the winter, Joseph removed to
Kirtland, and so did many others from the
east, all anxious to know where the spot
for the gathering would be. During the
winter and spring, the work spread exten-
sively in Northern Ohio. In the month
of February, in tho presence of twelve
Elders, assembled in Kirtland, the law
of the Lord for the government of the
church was received. Also a word more
relative to the gathering , was given in the
same place, in the month of March, as fol-
lows: “The place is not yet to be reveal-
ed ; but after your brethren come from the
east, there are to be certain men appointed,
and to them it shall be given to know the
place, or to them itshall be revealed; and
they shall be appointed .to purchase the
land, and to make a commencement, to
lay the foundation of the city ; and then
ye shall begin to be gathered with your
families, every man according to his fami-
ly, according to his circumstances, and as
is appointed to him by the Bishop and El-
ders of the church, according to the laws
and commandments which ye have re-
ceived, and which ye shall hereafter re-
ceive.” „ -

And in June following, a conference ot
all the ministerial Authorities of the
church within reach was called, who as-
sembled in Kirtland, and during the con-
ference, they received a revelation, from
which we extract the following :

“Behold, thus saith the Lord unto the
Elders whom he hath called and chosen,
in these last days, by tho voice of his Spi-
rit, saying, I the Lord will make known
unto you what I will that ye shall do from
this time until the next conference, which
i shall be held in Missouri, upon the land
I which I will consecrate unto my people.

I * * Let my servants Joseph and Sidney
' take their journey to-the land of Missouri,
and inasmuch as they are faithful unto me,
it shall be made known unto them the land
of your inheritance; and inasmuch as they
are not faithful, they shall he cut off, even as
l will, as seemeth me good. * * And thus,
even as I have said, if ye are faithful, ye
shall assemble yourselves together to re-
1 joice upon the land of Missouri, which is

11

t

rrtj

:|

: j

!

THE ENSIGN

the land or your INHERITANCE, which east again. A great anxiety soon pervsH-
is now in tbe hands of your enemies, ed the church generally to remove to Zi-
Bu: behold, 1 the Lord will hasten the city on. No particular spot as yet had been
in its time.” pointed out and dedicated in Ohio for the

About thirty Elders were. sent, two by I gathering together of the saints. The
two, to hold that conference on the con- j residence of the first Authorities in the
lines of civilization. When they rilSuTchurch was at present in Kirttand. Some
reached Jackson county, Mo., iii July, the I thought that Kirtland -would yet become a
word of the Lord came unto them again, j jilaco of gathering, though others doubted
saying, “Hearken, O ye. Elders of my it.- In September they inquired of tho
church, safitl the Lord your God, wlimj Lord, nnd received jj revelation,- in which
have assembled yourselves together, ac- - was tho following,: “ 1 tho Lord willeth to
cording to my commandments, in this . retain a stronghold in the land of Kirt-
land, which is the laud of Missouri, which land, for the space of five years, in the
is the land which I have appointed and ' which 1 will not overthrow" th.e wicked,
consecrated for the gathering of the saints: that thereby I may save some.” This still
wherefore this is tii • land of promise, and j left them in doubt as it respected this
tbe place for the city of Zion. And thus] place, and the design of God concerning
sa’in the Lord your God, if ye will receive • it. The spot where thE'f.ndowmknt was
Wisdom, here is wisdom. Behold the '.to be given and received still hung in
place which is now'called Independence, doubt. God had said that it should be-in
in tub -centre peace, and THE SPOT Ohio. In April, 1632. in a revelation
FOR THE TEMPLE is lying westward was this expression : “ For I have consc-
upoa a lot which is not far from the court crated the laud of Kirtland, in mine own
house.” duo time, for the benefit of the saints of

Again, a few days afterwards, they re- the Most High, and for a Stake to Zion :
ce : ved the following: “Hearken, 0 yc far Zion must increase in beauty, and in
Elders ot my church, and give car to my holiness ; her borders most be enlarged :
word,- and learn of mo what I will con- her Stakes must be strengthened : yea.
corning you, nnd also concerning this verily, 1 say nnto you, Zion must arise'
land unto which I have sent you. Behold, and put on her beautiful garments.” f
verily I say unto you, for this cause I have Matters passed on without any special
sent you that you might be obedient, and act being taken relative to the building up
that your hearts might be prepared to bear of Kirtland, until December following, in
testimony of the things which are to a revelation given to the Elders of the
come; and also, that you might dje hon- church iu Kirtland, the Lord said thus :
ored of laving the foundation and of bear- f “Therefore, verily Isav unto vou, niv
ing record of the land upon which the friends, call 5 'our solemn assembly, ns I
Zion of God shall stand. And that the have commanded you; and as all have
testimony might go forth from Zion : yea, not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one
ftom the mouth of the city of the heritage another words of wisdom ; yen, seek ye
of God. * * Let no man break Ihe laws out of the best hooks words" of wisdom :
of the land, for he that kee petit the laws- seek learning even by study, and also by’
of (rod, hath no need tu break the laws ol faith. Organize yourselves; prepare ev-
the land. * * And let my servant Sidney cry needful thing", and establish a house,
consecrate and .dedicate this land, and the even a hou~e of prayer, a house of fasting,
eroT op the Temple unto tho Lord, a house of faith, a house of learning, a
And let a conference meeting be called, house of glory, a house of order, n house
and after that, let my servants Joseph and of God ; that }'our in-comings may bo in
Sidney return, and also Oliver with them, tho name of the Lord; that your out-go-
to accomplish the residue of the work ings may be in the name of the Lord ;
which I have appointed unto them in their that all your salutations may be in the
own land.” name of the Lord, with uplifted hands un-

Afier finishing their mission to Missou- to the Most High.”
ri, the most of the Elders returned to the As soon as the next spring had opened,

so that active measures could bo taken, in
the month of May, the Lord thus address-
ed tlio Elders and church in Kirtland :
‘■And again,' verily I say unto you, my
friends, a commandment 1 give unto you,
that yo shall commence a work of la) ing
out and preparing a beginning and found-
ation of th s City of tho Stake of Zion,
here in the land of Kirtland ; beginning at ■
my house: and behold, it must be dorie i
aettordllig tor the pattern which 1 -t r i l l gi ve j
unto you.”

We will, on this part of the subject, >
make one more extract from a revelation j
given in June, 13:13: “ Verily thus saith I
the Lord unto you, whom 1 love, and 1
whom I love I also chasten, that thcir.sins j
may bo forgiven, for with the chastise- j
nient I prepare a way for their deader - 1
ance in all things out of tomptation : and |

1 have loved you: w herefore ye must needs j
be. chastened, and stand rebuked before my j
fo&f-foryS have sinned against me a very
grievous sin, in that ye iiavo uot consid-
ered the great commandment in all things
that 1 have given unto you concerning
the building of mine house, for the prep-
aration wherewith I design to prepaio

mine Apostles to prune' my vineyard lor.

tho last tiia:*,' that I may bring to pass my j
strange act, that 1 may pour out my Spi-
rit upon all llcsh. * * \ea, verily, 1 sa)
unto ■ you, I give unto you a command-
ment, that you should build an house ; in'
which house 1 design to endow those
whom 1 have chosen with power from on
hio-h. * * Verily, I say unto you, it is
my will that you should build an house :
if you keep my commandments, you shall
have power to build it ; it you keep not I
my commandments, the love. of the lather
shall not continue with you: therefore
you shall walk in darkness. * * There-
fore let it be built after the manner which
1 shall show unto three of you, whom ye
shall appoint and ordain unto this power.
* * And let the lower part of the inner
court bo dedicated unto me for J our sacra-
ment otlcring, and for your preaching,
and your fhsiing, and your praying, and
tho otfering up lb your most holy desires
unto me, saith the Lord- And the higher
part of the inner court, he dedicated unto
mo for tho school of mine Apostles, saith
the Son of Man.”

OF LIBERTY. 27

One fact we have to note here, ansfth' at
is, that almost all those who were tho first
actors in the church are either dead ov ai l -
gone to the wilderness ‘with most of their
recsrJs. It is therefore difficult to get
many small particulars which would be in-
teresting on tins all-important subject. All
things being previously prepared, a gen-
era! assembly was called ot all the officia-
ry and members ol the church within
reach, on tie *33d day of July, 1833, in
order to participate in and witness tho
laving of the corner stone of “THE
HOUSE OF THE LORD,” in Kirtland;
which was attended to in the presence ot .
humirerts, with great solemnity..

A very curious coincidence we will
here mention. Whilst some of the first
Authorities in the church were in this
Stake, laving the corner stones tor a
foundation of that noble edifice, tub
Temple os' the Lord, which was after-
wards reared here by the sacrifices, con-
tributions, and hard labor of the poor
among men, on that very same day about

000 mobperats gathered in Independence,
the county seat of Jackson county, Mo.,
the centre spot of tho land of Zion— -the
gathering place in the west and by tucu

j loud veils, tiioir nets of violence, and tlieir

1 threats of further injuries upon all those
of THE ciiuncii OF Gjirist in that region,
induced some of the leading men of tlio
church there to covenant and bind them-
selves to leave that county. And aiter-
wards they forced them to comply, by

hurling them out of the couhty.

The land of Zion thus went into bond-
age. Mob violence ruled. And conse-
quently the people mourned. Zion is yet
in bondage, but so sure as ever Ood spake
to man, the Lord lias decreed that He
Himself will yet redeem her with judg-
ments, and her converts with righteous-
ness— and that, loo, in this generation.—
Mark that.

Wo will make a few more quotations
from revelations on this subject — October,
1833 : “And now I tho Lord give unto
you a word concerning Zion : Zion shall
be redoemed, although she is chastened
for a little season. And the glory of the
Lord shall be there, and the terror of
the Lord also shall be there, insomuch
that the wicked will not come unto it : and

sSWl

28

THE ENSIGN

it stall bo called Zion. And it shall come Christ — never, with all their places of
to pass among the wicked, that evert- man Withering, had one of them pointed out
who will not take his sword against his and established in this same way.
neighbor, must needs flee unto Zion for We trill here give one more quotation,
safety. And there shall be gathe-ed unto from the wonlof tbeLord, which, if bdiev-
it out of every nation under heaven : and ed, wiil be a perfect quietus of all the vari-
it shall be the only peoplq that shall not ous places of gathering together of all the

r be at war with one another. A ud it shall branches, fractions and panics of the Lat-

he said among the wicked, let us not go up ter Day Saints, since they fell from their
to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants original righteousness,- and took upon them
of Zion are terrible: wherefore we can- that false name forthechurch. If they had
not stand. And it shall come to pass that not imbibed false spirits, they never would
the righteous shall be gathered out from hare taken that false name for the church;
among all nations, and shall come to Zion hut doing all that, then to complete their
singing, with songs of everlasting joy.” overthrow, they most have false gather-
And in December, 1883, “Therefore let ings to false Stakes, and then do all man-
your hearts be comfortedjconccrning Zion; ner of false or evil actions ; and thus pro-
for all flesh is in my hands : be still, and fessing to do all these things by the direct
know that I am God. Zion shall not be sanction of Heaven, pollute the Holy
moved out op her place, notwithstanding ] Priesthood, which God had given and es-
her children are scattered ; they that re- tablished in the church of Christ; and by
main and are pure in heart shall return jail these things fill up their cups of inl-
and come to their inheritances ; they and : quitv, in being led by the Arch Deceive^
their children, with songs of everlasting the Devil, down to destruction. Wo, wo,
joy; to build the waste places of Zion, wo ! is the doom of Latter Day Saintism.
And all these things that the prophets j The millions of ruin, of human suffering,

might be fulfilled.” - of calamity, and of destruction, have ari-

About the first of November, 1838, the sen into the ears of the Lord of. Sabaoth,
church was driven from the land of Zion and his decree is passed, that their warn-
— from their homes and possessions, which ings have been sufficient, and that his
they had obtained by vast sacrifices. Zion sore judgments now await them to their
was in bondage — her children were scat- final overthrow.

tered ; and when that was known in Kirt- But now for our last quotation, taken
land, in December following, the Prophet from the 97thsec. and 4 h par. Cov., re-
inquired of the Lord, and received the vealed in December, 1833, the winter
above, or last quotation. It is too plain to after the persecution in Jackson county,
need comment. Mo. “And behold, there is none other

But we have one more quotation to pre- place appointed than that which 1 have ap-
sent relative to the places of gathering, pointed ; neither shall there be any other
which have been appointed for the church place appointed for the work of the gath-
of Christ to assemble together in this age. ering of my saints, until the day cometh
We are bold to affirm that there never when there is found no more room frr them;
have been but two places appointed of the j and then I have other places which I will
Lord : and those two places were Zion • appoint unto them, and they shall be call-
„ and Kirtland. Zion was appointed and ed Stakes, for the curtains, or the strength
dedicated in 1831 ; and Kirtland, as a ' of Zion.”

Stake of Zion, in 1833. Both were es- 1 It is known to all in this region, that
tablished by that same Authority by which 1 there always has been room in Kirtland
the church of Christ was first organized for the “assembling” of good inhabitants,
and established, viz. by direct revelation, | And we will say further, the old inhabit-
and the personal presence, sanction and ants in this vicinity never have wished
Ministerial action of the highest Authority (except some few of the baser sort) to
in the church. And we are as bold to af- persecute or unlawfully molest any inhab-
firm, lhat the church of Latter Day Saints itant who would carefully observe the
— which is by no mean* the church of laws of the land, however different bis

49

i

OF LIBERTY.

religion might be from theirs. The mem- |
bers of ike church of Christ, or of the Lat-
ter Day Saints, never have been driven
from Kirtland by any power except their
own wickedness. Kirtland always has had
room, a*d always will have for law abid-
ing citizens, until it is full.

If the above quotation means, what it
says, then the Lord’s word, that there
should be no more gathering places ap-
pointed, except Zion and Kirtland, is sure
and steadfast; and if so, the Lord could
not have bad any hand in the appointment
of the various places from which the Lat-
ter Day Saints have been driven, or in
which any party of them may now reside.
Then we ask, who appointed W. VV.
Phelps’ place of gathering at Far West,
Mo.; Lyman Wight’s place at Diahman,
Mo.; G. M. Hinkle’s place at De Whit,
Mo.; Sidney Rigdon’s place at Nauvoo;

J. J. Strang’s place at Voree, Wis., and
at Beaver Island; S. Rigdon’s place at
Adventure Farm, near Greencastlc, Pa.;
and the Twelveite El Dorado, at Cali-
fornia? *■

We are perfectly ready to answer, that
men appointed all these places ior specu-
lative purposes, without any authority
from the Lord so to do — except the au-
thority derived from that sectarian church
of Latter Day Saints. While the church
of Christ existed, and her Ministry were
devoted to her interests, while her Priest-
hood remained unpolluted, and while the
object of the whole was to prepare for the
speedy coming of those judgments — sore
calamities which are now laying waste
the fair portions of our habitable earth,
by famine, pestilence, fire, sword and tor-
nado, by land and sea — we say that the
First "Authorities of the church of
Christ, (while she as a church wore that
name without an alteration or appendage,
or rather the Lord through and by them,)
established Zion and Kirtland as places
•of safety, where they might' rest while
the overflowing soourge should pass thro’
the world — we say to all our brethren ev-
ery where, that we have no confidence in
any places of gathering as yet appointed
for the true church, except ZiOn, in Mis-
souri, and her Stake in this place. And
Zion being in captivity, Kirtland, where
u the House of the Lord” has been

reared, has room, and is a land of safety,
a land of the Lord. Ed.

James J. Straug, of Voree, Wfa-

We promised to write upon the claims, profes-
sions and pretensions of this high sounding claim-
ant to tlie offices of Prophet, Seer, Revelatorand
Translator, -and successor of the late Joseph
Smith. Wo have seen arid carefully read every
number of his official organ, the Voree Herald
aud Zion’s Reveille. We had two personal in-
terviews with him of several hours each, last
summer, and we have also conversed freely end
familiarly with some of his warm friends and
supporters. And now, if wo understand correct-
ly, the priricipal evidences to sustain his preten-
sions, are to bo drawn from three sources. First,
Joseph Smilh.’s letter to him, dated Nauvoo,
June 18th, 1844. Secondly, his ordination under
the hand of an Angel, on the same afternoon on
which Joseph was murdered Thirdly, his little
brass plates, found near Voree, and their pre-
tended translation.

We think we are aware that many have been
caught in the net of Strangism, who desire to
know the truth, for the sake of the troth, and

ftUOW mo numi — ■ ' f

who desire to practices it, because of the love or
it in their hearts. But the testimonies of false

ll in uieir iicuiuj.

prophets, and their works of. cunning, havQ fora
reason led them away. But all those who love
the Lord’s ways better than the crafts of men,
just as soon as they see the lightt they will
come out and walk in it; although it may make
false pretenders howl, and wail, and even gnash
upon them with their teeth. Let us here say,
that false prophets and false worshippers are apt
“to cry aloud, and cut and lance themselves, and
prophesy much with a great noise,” like Balaam’s
men; and when their craft is in danger, like the
Ephesians and Laraanites, they will raise a tu-
multuous noise. .

The true servant of God should not strive, nor
cry, except repentance — nor contend, e * ce Pj
« for the faith once delivered unto the saints-
False prophets may, as Zedekiah the son of Cbe-
naanali, make them horns of iron to push their
enemies, and may smite upon the cheek, as he
did Micaiah, and as the Lord’s persecutors did
him. But we are fully aware thatsuch prophets
and men arc inspired from beneath, and not
from above. The spirit of the Gospel is the spi-
rit of “ peace on earth, and good will toward
men.” War, whenever justifiable, is only in
self-defence, when wo have not been the ag-
gressors. Inspiration says, “ For where envying
and strife is, there is confusion and every evil
work.”

False prophets, although they are really rave-
nous wolves— that is cunning, and do their deeds
in the dark — always have to come garbed in a
sheep’s clothing— that is, at first softly and mild-
ly in order to deceive and gather prey. Thus

came James J. Strang. He came, too, when a
dispirited and mourning people, were hoping for
something to rise up promising reform, and de-
liverance from oppression. Ha enme in, to®. as .

30

THE ensign

many thought, at the doof ; with legal authority
10 lead the church onward to triumph. He came
with a Utter from him who had fallen by the
bloody baud* of murderous mobocrut© — with lit-
tle brass piates dug from the earth — and .profess-
ing an ordination, and anointing under the hand
of un Angel. When then; testimonies were sent
abroad, some honest people'. Wim de/iied'and
groaned for a prepar&fhm for the- Second Advent
of Jesus, g iy a in their adherence to hiui. *cr»ly
believing lliat he wou d have pouter' to go for-
ward, and gather . together a “ peculiar j»eop>.
zealous of good works. 4 * Tho declaration, pur-
porftm?to com# t q u vision ft on* “ the Almighty
Gou of heaven,” by his own voice, was, *■ (Into
Voree shall be the gathering of my people, and
there shall tb ^oppressed flee for safety, and none
vhait hurl nr molest them.” Great promises,
truly. But how Inv© tb*y been fulfilled ? ‘‘The
name 'of the city shaii be called Voree, i.e. gar-
den of peace, for there shall my people, havo
peace anil rest t and wax fat and pleasant in the
presence of their enemies.” Have those prom-
ises been realized by Strang and his followers in
Voree during the past season?. We received a
letter, dated Voree, January 20th, A. D. 1847,
from Elder Haze* Aluricii, from which wc will
here give a few extracts.

“A portiou of those that have gathered to Vo-
ree prove to bo Tares, for they aro bound in a
bundle, and choose darkness rather thau light —
The most reasonable conclusion i can coino to
about bro. Strang is, that ho is partially insane.
1 cannot make tnyseif believe, that a man of his
ability would do as he docs, in a sound mind. It
looks to me as if Voree had been prepared to be-
come a scape-goat, that Kirtlaud might be built
up io truth and righteousness. The gift of faith
is departed from Voree; aud I am not sure that
it has ever existed here. 1 will give you a sam-
ple of things here. This week a man arrived
with his family from Illinois, 100 miles distant.
When he learned the true state of -Voree, that
there wus a secret covenant and society here in the
church, big tears stole down his checkin sorrow.
Sickness and distress are among the inhabitants
here, aud there is no faith here to turn it away.
The secret covenant engages the attention of the
prophet and those with him. But Iviri land will
catch the wheat, because it cannot be bound in a
bundle. 1 he gatherers of the tares at Voree,
nought to enclose the wheat also, but it burst
forth and would not bo bound. It has conic to
that, that there are two parties here, and I think
that there is too much vengeance shown — indeed,
if there is auy shown, it is too much. It looks lo
me as if Kirtlaud would now be built up, and
from thence men would go forth to “bind up the
law, and seal up the testimony.”

The above is rather a sad pielnro for “the gar-
den of peace.” to present before the world — where
“peace and rest” were to b? enjoyed, and naught
to’ha r m or molest t .e “ p^ie gat iicred there.”
But m ord.*r to underanma Slrangiffra, let ns
go back to its orig n. After he removed to Wis-
consin, from N. York, he was heard to say more
than once, “ O, if I only bad Josepl^S^th’s place,

then would I be content” Daring the winter of
f 43, Mr. Strang, in company with Aaron Smith,
visited Nauvoo. While thero he professed faith
in Latter Day Suintism, was baptized by Joseph
Smith, and ordained lo the office of an -Elder by
Hyrdm Smith; thereafter spending a few days,

! he returned hack to the neighborhood of Burling-
ton. Wisconsin: and aflom the 1st bfWnne h©

; wrote a letter to Pre**. Smith, proposing the plant-
ling} of a Stake m Wisconsin. lie wrote that a

• Mr. Smith and u Mr. Pierce would, if*ihe Stake
was appointed jo that the city would cover their

; lauds, give one tenth of all the cash received, for
j allvthc M* which the y mig ht seiL te Joseph, for
being so very kind ns to appoint the Stake in that

• place. Aaron .'Smith signed a certificate in the
! same letter, that i»3 brother aud Mr. Pierce were
' men who would do as they agreed. And further

the letter recommended that Janie* J. Strang
should be appointed President of the new Stake”
It 'was the answer to this letter which Strang
received “by due course of mail,” that he holts
a* ilia official appointment as Successor of the
fallen Prophet. There is, however, one thing
about that uotahlo letter, that if it had been pub-
lished, it would have set tho whole matlerol the
. little Lawyer's appointment in quite a difiere: t
j light. But being a Lawyer, little James knew
enough to keep the postscript lothat letter in the
1 dark.

But take the letter as it is published, and it
I does not appoint James J. Strang cithffi- Prophet,

• Seer, or -Kevelutor, nor Successor to Joseph. —
i Such words are not found in it. But cveu if they
; were, tho letter itself contain.^'morc than one

ha f dozen expressions that are untrue, Mich a>,
First, The flock slia'I find rest with thee.”

1 o-day * mail brings us intelligence that even
hi* Bishop F u'der has forsaken Strang; his fir«,t
Counsellor Aaron also, of whom Joseph's letter
says, “ lie hath wisdom in the gospel, and nnder-
Ktandeth the doctriues, and erreth not therein’”
Secondly, “ 1 was upon the liiil of the Temple. The
culm father of waters rolled bellow chaug*. less aud
eternal/' Is it true that tho .Mississippi river is
changeless and eternal? No. No man believes
•t. # I liirdly, 44 The Almighty came from his throne
of rest.” The ancient prophets used to cornmnno
with Angels, with Jesus, and had visions of hij
Father. But who believes that “the great white
throne in heaven” was vacated in order to give
Joseph a vision relative to the appointment of
James J. Strang President of Voree? S rang-
ites arc bound lo say that they believe it, if they
believe, in his Sucqessorship. Fourthly, 44 My ser-
vant James J. Strang hath, come to thee from far,

* * ami had faith in thee. [Joseph.] the Shep-
herd and Stone of Israel.” Who, believes that
Joseph was the Shepherd and Stone of Israel?
The Slrangitcs. But no ono who behoves the
hook of Covenants, for that says that Christ is
thegood Siiepherd^and Stoue of Israel. Fifthly,
“But dark cloqds^are gathering, for the church '
is not yet wholly purged,” Purged of what, wo
would ask ? Ceilairity, if it meant any th'ng,
it must have meant that there were yet a few
honest hearted persons left among the Latter Day

OF LIBERTY

S*

Psint*, who mart leave Nauvoo and the chnrch,
before they coold ran to the wilderness, so that
the Lord, according to Isaiah, “ could slay them,
a nz give his servants auother name.”

But when Joseph wrote that letter, Strang was
only an Elder in the church. Aaron Smith, tho
one placed to eounsrl him, had been ordained to
the High Priesthood some years previously in
Kirtland. We would ask who had authority to

ing to Strang: “And the fa th which thou hast ra-
the ShepherJ, the Slone of Israel, hath been re-
paid to thee a thousand fold, and thou shall be
like him.” The book of Covenants says that
Shepherd and Stone is one with the Father, and'
h is overcome the world. Thus we see that Strang-
claims tn be like the Son of G/d— one with the
Almighty God. We ask, who can believe such
disunities? What, set as >vj: ai.l his fellow,?

Kirtland. Wo would ask who had authority to , W4 . « ! to any except 0*

violate the order of heaven, and place an L.d.r , ^ ^ And the wonl all, w . cS

to preside over a Hlffh Priest ? Sir a as himself w much, cannot be found if* tW*pre^oa,-

does not pretend to have received his ordination j 0 „| t . u . r in ll)e 43,1, t „ 0 |- : a Heb. 1. v, hen up-
front the Angel untii nine days after his applet- t) , h , Sila e( - (Jo-J. Then Str-mg, br ag

me nt. Here theu is s:i interval of nine days 1

men:. Here i., ... - —

during which ill the mindyif God, if Strang's ap-
pointment is true, an Elder is placed to oversee,
i. e. preside over, a High Priest. Tilts is a d.fii-
cuily that will require the visit of auother of Mr.
Strang's angels’to settle.

Ws will now examine this subject of Angel-
ordination. “On the 27th day of June, lb-14,
James J. Strang was in the Spirit, aad the An-
gel of God came unto him, * * and .stretched
forth his hand unto him, and touched his head,
and put oil npon him, and said, Grace is poured
upon thy lips, and God bles3eth thee with the
greatness of the Everlasting Priesthood. • *

Thou hast loved righteousness and haled iniqui-
ty therefore thy God hath anointed thee with
oil’ and set thee aho r: all thy fellows.” Our
answer to the above is, the Law of God says.
Covenants, eye. 13, p. 4, “Again I sav unto you,
that it shell not he given to any one to go lorth
to preach my gospel, or 10 build up my church,
except he bo ordained by some one who has au-
thority. and it w known to the church that he
lias authority, and has been regularly ordained by
the heads of the ..church.” The angel who or-
dained and anointed Strang, must have been an
angel of darkness, for no.angol of light won.d
have acted iu such direct violation of the Law of

• But we ask. what is the greatness of the Ever-
lasting Priesthood ! And we answer, it is to rise
above all; it is to have power to give, send, or

„„ ,'Ueq St.-.„. ,

tike. the Shepherd RttJ Stone, is to he like Christ;
hurt ye& ' R T above altbis-feilowe,'’ consequently
1 he must be above Jesus, tile Savior-

Bat again, w*t Strang ever ordained “by the
heads of the church,” to the ofiice3 of great ser-
vitude, (though he thinks of great Ijonor,) which,
he claims, of Prophet, Seer, ReveUtor, trad Trans-
lator, end Successor, as Pie law of the Lord re-
quires? No. He says hr was only appointed hy
Joseph Smiih, and then ordained by an Angel.
Did the church of Cramr, to whom all the say-
ings relative t» another's being appointed in/'
Joseph's stead, were given, know that that Angel
had authority to ordain Straug? No, not one of
them. Who knows that any kind of an nngcl
ever vi-ited James J. Strang, or communed with
him, either from the upper or lower regions? No
man's testimony is io be tound in alt h.s writings',
who stood with him when the angel visited,
anointed, and ordained him. Who teethes to
that (id his case) a(l important matter? Jainen
is under the painful necessity, in order to make
out his claims, of testifying to it Himself. This is
virtually testilyingor umsslf — thus violating one
of the plainest principles ever la.d down hy the.
Savior: “ If I hear witness ofm- self, my witness
is not true.” John 3: 31. We prefer the advice
of the wise man: “Let anothcr-man praise thee,
and not thine own mouth ; a stranger, and not
thine own lips. So for men to search their own
glory, i ■ not glorV.” Prov. ”7 : 2. 2o:2i-

But again, 'Thou shall belike him.” . Meas!;,.

above all; it is to have power to give, scnci. or j ^ uu ” ) w j lnm ? Strang answers, liSe Joseph
command- the Holy Ghost; it is to will, ana j Well, iet ns try that ground. Like h.itt

then to have rows. a to execute tlio thmg willed J jn what j why like him in call, appointment,

and ordination to the game offices. If “like him”

in righteousness before God. Did any being
in mortality, ever s dice the world began, have or

... j d began, have or - meBns nnv ,(,jng, it must means this. Joseph vvns

enjoy it? No. nor never will. The Savior, the (j rat ca Ucd hy an holy angel, Strang was first
One after whom the order of the High Priest- | CB i| et j by' Joseph — not a hke here Again, when
hood was called, while in mortality, and that, | t j, e holy angel visited and ordained Joseph, Oliver
too, near the close of his probation, was heard to • WI1S Wlt ;, him, that it might be as the Lord had
saytohis Father in heaven, "O, my Father, if I sa i,j ; «.| n t he mouth of two or three v i: nesses
it be possible, let this cup pass from me ! never- I .hill every word be established.” 2 Cor. 13:. 1.
tkelcss, not ns I will, hut as thou wilt.” Mat. I Who was with Strang, when he wns ordained?
28:39- Paul said, “ For even Christ pleased not : No person. Not alike here. “And also with Pe-
h'm-e’.f.” Roin. 15: 3. But after ho had risen | isr and James and John, whom I have sent unto
from the dead, he thus expressed himself, “All i you [Joseph and Oliver,] by whom 1 hhve ordntn-
FOWr-r. IS given unto us is HEAVEN ANi> IN .-<! you, nud confirmed you to he Apost.es, nnu
earth.” This was the greatness of the Ever- especial witnesses of my name, * * * auto whom
lastin'"- Priesthood. But remember this was uf- I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a
ter Christ was immortalised I dispensation ol the gospel lor the last t , lies. -

But again, Strang’s Angel said to him. “There- j How many persons were there who delivered toe
fore thy God hath anointed thee with oil, and set ; keys of the ktugdom of heaven unto Strang ? He
THEE abote all thy fellows.” Thisis in keeping I never had them. His angel did not tell him that
with his letter of appointment, that says, speak- ^-e delivered the keys unto him ; if he has, Strang

If

THE ENSIGN

so (krhu kept it in the iluk from the world— he ia, |
however, good to keep thiogl in the da*, becauae
he believes iu sscwxt societies. He ptofeanea that
hia angel ordination took place on the very name
day on which Joseph fell, in Carlhage jail; bat I
then the grenteat familiarity e rioted between
String and Elder Aaron Smith, the man whom
bia appointing letter haiplaced to be hia eoonaellor,
yet for montha Aaron never keard of it, or even
dreamed of euch visit of an angel to Strang.

We are aware that hia third point ought to be
hia impregnable one. But how stands the matter
relative to hia thru little Bnass plate s ? Pro-
vided they were dug from the ehrth, as published
to the world, then whatf He claims to be “ like
Joseph.” And we ask for the likeness between
hia Kttle brass ones, and that great pile of gold
plates delivered to Joseph Smith. We saw
Strang’s, and we should think that (hey were not
over two and a half inches long by one and one
eighth wide. Monnon’e plates were about eight
inches long by six wide. No comparison in metal
or size. Who.went with Joseph when he dag up
his pistes? No person. Who went with Straag?
Fonr chosen witnesses. No likeness here. Who
wrote for Joseph, as he translated the holy record
of the book of Mormon, by means of the Inter-
preters, provided and found with the plates ? Mar-
tin Harris, Oliver Cowaery and others. Who
wrote for Straag, as he translated? I, James
translated, and I, James wrote with mine own
hand. Wider and wider ia the difference. Strang
aays he translated bis plates by Urim and Thum-
mim. Who ever saw that sacred instrument in
his possession? No man. Who knows whether
Strang translated hia plates correctly? No man.
Who knows whether Joseph had the Interpreters,
i. e. the Urim, and with that, by the inspiration
of the Lord, translated the plates he liad found?
Answer — Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and
Martin Harris. How did these men know ? The
heavens were opened upon them, an holy Angel
came down before them, in open day light, and
laid before. them the Plates, the Interpreters, “And
we xaow that the plates have been translated by
the gift and power of God, for hid Voice has de-
clared it unto t». Wherefore, to be obedient unto
the commandment of God, we bear testimony to
these things.” This ia the testimony of three
disinterested witneases. All this ia wanting in
Strang’a ease.

Bat again, the translation of Joseph opens a
-vsiame of light to the world of some six hundred
pages, containing general history, biography, doc-
trine and principles of religion, morals, and gov-
sroment. Strang’s translation contains some fif-
teen lines — a mere epitaph. And short as it is,
and disjointed and discordant as are iu sentences,
it contains a number of false sutements. And
if so, then it either could not have been written
«r translated by the true spirit of inspiration, for
that is the spirit of truth.

But there are some other points involved in this
subject, which we wish to examine at greater
length than we can do at present. The subject of
the calling, the appointment, the ordination, the
-office and the duties of a Seer of the Lord, ia one
but little understood among men. We think we
dure aid enough to set Mr. Strang’s claim* in,

their true light. But our strongest srgumentsare
yet reserved, and be shall hear from us again. Ed.

O' Oar friends will remember our Conference
here, to commence on the 21st of Jone next.

O’ A number of letter*, with their dollar*, have
been received since we sent oat our first num-
ber, which will be noticed in our next. We ere
anxious to hear from our friends abroad. Will
they remember us and the cause in which we are
engaged. The church here in Kirtland increases
slowly, but steadily. Their meetings are con-
ducted with much spirit, and great unanimity.

[communicated.]

The Ensien of Liberty, ’tis sent forth tbthe breexf!
Let its folds be unfnrled o’er lands and o’er seas.
For it bears in it* boeom the emblems of peace,
The Gospel is offered to man’s fatlen race.

Its standard of truth bears the banner of light
To a world sinking low in error’s dark night-
Blessed Liberty! the watchword! O let light divine
Emancipate souls from the thraldom of sin.

Thou Ensign of Liberty! go herald the news.
That the church of our Lord has from darxnesa
arose !

Go tell all the world that in brightness shell shine;
She’s preparing to meet with her Savior divine.

The flag of the Gospel, O ! let it go forth
To the iles of the sea and dark corners of earth ;
Irft its doctrine of truth lead from sin’s dark abyss
To the city of God, the blossod mansions of bliss.

Awake, O ! ye nations of every land,

For the hour of God’s judgmenta is surely at hand ?
Gird on all your armor! for Liberty fight!

The Ensign will aid yon with truth and with light,

O ye Gentiles and Jews, give heed to its call —
The Spirit is whispering the truth to the sonl :
For its truths are eternal and will stand pure and
bright.

When the Savior descends from the region* of
light.

May the Ensign of Liberty be upheld by his arm,
And march on in triumph, and sound the alarm !
That Jesus is coming on earth soon to reign
In power and glory ! — Amen ! and Amen !

Lord, speed on the Ensign — let it wave o’er th*
world,

Till Babylon’s fabrics in ruin are hurled —

Till the honest in heart from all nations shall come
Ta the standard of Christ, and in him find a home.

Helkna.

D- The Ensign or Liberty will be edited by
W. E. McLelun, (for the present,) and publish-
ed every month, on a medium sheet, in pamphlet
form, containing sixteen pages each, at One Dol-
lar per year, in advance.

O* All lettera to the Editor must be post-paid,
in order to insure attention — remember that.

-OUR APOLOGY — AND OUR place appointed for their worship. It..

TOU RS. was at a private house, the gentleman

When we commenced the pnblica- and Lady of which, with two others
tion of the Ensign of Liberty, we and myself, composed the entire con-
fbndly anticipated its edition from gregation. Instead of great things
month to month ; but circumstances there, we assure yeti we felt sum
which we could not control, have enough. And when we come to in- -
ruled it otherwise. Soon after we quire of the. two who formed the
had published the second No., oar collected congregation, one :was rath-
duty required us to visit Pittsburgh, er inclined to Twehnteism, if not fully
Pa. From there we returned, so as so; and the other by no means a
to attend our June Conference; du- Strangle. How do you suppose we
ring the sittings of which it was dc- felt? We will leave you to imagine,
termined that we should immediately Here we found that" Strangism was 5
snake a lour through life western deathism. On the next lord’s day.
States. On the 6th of July, we left June 6th, we had. the privilege of ad- ,
our home for the far off west, and dressing a very respectable portion of
did not return until the 3d of Nov. — our old friends in Pittsburgh, both in
During our absence, wo traveled over the forenoon and afternoon. - We
three thousand miles ; in which we found no one in that city whom we -
hope that we have passed through considered strong in Strangism, ex-
scenes and gathered materials which cept Elder James Smith. The mindsi
will enable us to- enrich the pages, of of the most seemed to be in unccr—
the future Nos. of our paper, so as tainty relative io the leading or pro-
to compensate our readars for the siding authorities of the “ work of the
long delay of this- No., consequent last days.” We spent our time very
upon those journeyings. pleasantly, visiting and freely conver—

First, then, our tour to Pittsburgh, sing among our friends, and obtained
On the 26th of May, we left Kirt- a number of subscribers for our pa-
land, and Saturday, the 29th, reached per. On Sunday, before the congre—
New Brighton, near Beaver. Pa., and gation, we heard Elder Benjamin
stopped wiih Elder James M. Greco, Winchester relate his-Acoilectionst
a Strangite fully imbued with the of the circumstances attending the
spirit' of his vocation. Strang had appointment and ordination of David.
made him presiding high priest over by Joseph. He was present and wit-
all that part of Pa. Of course, ac- nesssd the occurrence, and gave to
cepting so great a:i office, from so ns by request, a lucid and clear state-
great a man, in so great a cause, we ment of the facts,
should look for great things. We Our June Conference was charac—
asked nim how many members there terized by a general state of good’
were in that region? and if wc arc feeling, great unanimity among the-
not mistaken, he said about thirty. — Ministrv, and a number of additions!
Sunday morning was pleasant, and to the Church, by baptism. and conr-
w.e accompanied the Elder to the furcation.

finned eleven more, in all forty-one. had many hours conversation with
A few had -been oaptised by Elder A. Mrs. Smith, and learned many par-
Smith, before we visited Voree, and ticulars from her, relative to the his-
we organized a branch of the Church i tory of her husband from her first
op Christ even in Voree, of between I acquaintance with him, until the time
forty r and fifty members — five of of his cruel death. Among manv
whom were ordained to the office of others, I asked her this question:—
Elder — from whom much may be ex- Have you any confidence in the book
pected in the vineyard of the Lord, of Mormon, and the work of the last
in its last pruning. Among the num- days? Her answer was prompt — 1
ber who left Strang, were three — have all confidence in that spirit of
out of four — of the witnesses to his intelligence by which the book of
little brass plates ; and we think we Mormon was translated, and by which
do not judge amiss, when we say that the revelations were given' to the
the fourth is no Strangite. Many in- church in the beginning.” Although
cidents transpired during our stay and a widow, I admired the order of her
labors in Voree. that would be inter- family circle,
esting ; but ior want of room.

lassed directly to Rich-
Ve reached there on
■tfill Saturday, the 4th of Sept., and put up
Voree, with our old friend D. Whitmer. One
: count- ! o’clock at night still found us commu-
10 m he ning in close conversation. On Mon-
ee, but day, the 6th, David and Jacob Wh:t-
mor and Hiram Rage, accompanied
ve left me to Far West to visit with their
River, brother, and our old friend John
innday, Whitmer. We remained with him
liscour- two days and nights, and never did

OF LIBERTY. 35

sacred record, called the book of Mor- upon his head. He told me that in
mon, and thence, having a strong de- 1846, he received a commandment
sire to visit Independence, where we from God to organize a first Presi-
had spent some ol the happiest days of dency for the whole church, himself
our time, and also some of the great- as Seer, of course, — and that it was
est trouble, brought on by mobocracy. the privilege of G. M. Hinkle and

fall of 1833, by moh violence. Sun- lors in Nauvoo, in 1844, but whom
day, the 12th, we walked through the he deserted, and joined with Rigdon;
streets of the “ Western City,^’ and but whom he left and joined S. James;
also over the very spot on which all but whom he left and is now trying to
the heads of the church of Christ play a part with the little lawyer
bowed with so much solemnity in the prophet Strang, in Voree. We should
summer of 1831, when they dedica- not have mentioned the crowned
ted it to God for the Zion of the last prophet James, and his man George,-
davs. Here we should be glad to had it not been for the curiosity of
write a few of our feelings and reflec- the thing.

tions; but wisdom says no. Thence Thence we made the best of our
we began to wend our way home- way to Voree, and again met with
ward. our friends there on Sunday the 17th

On our way we called at the city of October. We were with them in
of Nauvoo again, and visited* while three meetings, during the day and
there, that superb structure, “ the evening. Quite a number had united
Nauvoo Temple. 1 ’ We also visited with them during my absence,’ and
old mother Smith, and found her very two were received on that day. —
feeble indeed, from age, hardships, Some incidents occurred while there,
exposures, and sorrows. Her faith which we will retain for a future
and confidence in her religion, seemed number. Our visits with Oliver Cow-
onlv to have gathered strength by the dery we will also lay over for want of
varying vicissitudes through which she room. But we say positively four
had passed during along life. She life being spared,) our friends shall be
took great interest in rehearsing mat- informed upon al! things pertaining to
tors combined with the death of her the kingdom of God. so far as mate-
sons. I must sav that I walked , riels are now, or shall hereafter come
mournfully through the fated city — into our hands. We have made an
of desolations. ] arrangement for the monthly issue of

On the 6th of October, we attended . the Ensign of Liberty, for some
a little meeting, called a general con- j months to come, and we cannot now
ference of the Hinkleites, in Mercer foresee any thing to hinder our on*
Co., III. Here we saw and heard i ward march.

queer things. Samuel James, S. | We will give some minutes of dur
Rigdon’s left hand man, professes, and past conferences in our next number,
told it publicly, that while he was And we will endeavor to answer the
operating with Rigdon in the fall of queries from many correspondents. —
1845, while in Philrdelphia, three per- But here we must say a word about
sonages in the garb and appearance of! Kirtland. Since our commencement
women, whom he believed to be an-' here last winter, the church has moved
gels appeared to him. and contrary ' steadily and slowly onward. Our
to his ic shes placed Rigdon’s crowr, members continue to increase steadily,

36

THE ENSIGN

8

yet but slowly. Four noble heart- you, and in it thou (Joseph) shaft be'
ed brethren have come in by the door called a Seer, a translator, a prophet,,
since our return, viz: J. P. Noble, an apostle of Jesus Christ,.an elder of
Isaac Dudley, Cornelius Davis, and ihe church through the will of God.
Hazen Aldrich. We never lived a- the Father; and the grace of our Lord-
mong any people who enjoyed them- Jesus Christ: being inspired by the
selves better than the members gen- Holy Ghost to lay the foundation
erally do here. Wc never attended thereof, and build it up unto the most
meetings where they were so inter- holy faith; which church was organ-
esting as they have been here since ized and established in the year of our
we returned from- our wes'ern tour. ! Lord 1830,. in the 4th month, and or.

And while we were in Voree on our
return, our brethren and sisters there
were “at peace among themselves,”
and greatly rejoiced in the liberty of
the church of Christ. While in Y r o-
rec, we also saw a brother directly
from the Plum river branch. They I

the: 6th day of the month which is
called April ” — Book of Command-
ments, chap. 22.

“ Before time in Israel when a mam
went to inquire of God, thus he spake:
Come let us go- to the Seer: for he
that is now called- a Prophet, was be-

were standing fast in the Lord, and j fore time called a Seer.”—/. Samuel,

love and spirituality increasing among
them. Our enemies here (for ene-
mies we have) have triedto. throw cve-.|
ry hindrance inourway; and our own-
frailties are many, but yet, w e see no
discouragements whatever, — our
course is onward and upward— al-
though some would-be-prophets, have
proclaimed that we would all fiat out !

9: 9.— II. Kings, 17: 13 .—Isa. 30: 10.

“And Ammon said, that r. Seer is a
Revelator and a Prophet also; and a-
gift which is gr< atc-r, can no man have,
except he should -possess the power
of God, which no man can, yet a man
may have great power given to him.
from God. But a Seer can know of
things which have past, and also of

jl: ' „ i i

in six months. But instead of that, i things. /ijrhich "are to come; and by
we increase- on all 'sides — and in the them shall all things be revealed.”

Lord we will increase, unt?f”we tri-
umph over all evil, and finally bring
in “the rest of God.”

A SEER OF THE LORO.

To the importance, and the nature
of the duties of this high celling before
God, we shall devote a few pages of
our present number.- We are fuilv
aware that it is a subject but little! ana they have been kept and pro-
thoug'it upon among mankind gener-'i served by the hand of- the Lord. *
ally, or even among the Teachers of i * *- And whosoever lias these-,
the religious portion thereof of the things is called Seer, after the jnau-
presentday. ner of old time?. ” ; — JHos ; ah, c. 12.

On the v.cry day on which the A holy man who possessed the U-
ciiurch, known by the characteristic j rim and-Thummim. viz. the Director*,
name of> 1 iib Church of-Chiuot. was , or Interpreters, and the gift-from God

Mosiah , chap. 5. “And now Mosiah-
translated the records of Ether, which
were on plates, of Gold, bv the means
ef those two stones which were fas-
tened into the two rims of a bow.—
Now these things were prepared from
the beginning, and were handed down-
from generation to generation,, fer the
purpose of interpreting languages,

founded- in this age, a revelation was
received, from the Heavens, contasii-

to use them for sacred purposes, was
in ancient times- called Seer.. The-

ingthis remarkable saying: “ Belmld first mention that we have of thatsa-
.dteras shall, he. a, recoxd keijtt amcng'cggi ii’.s!rugier.t iig the* bible* wa&ift

ment as Urim and Thummim in the God. Even the Kings of the earth
bible. It was prepared to interpret in olden time held their crowns be-
•languages, and -to strengthen men’s 'cause they were appointed -and an-
faith in God, so that those who held ointed by the Lord’s Seers,
that engine of power, could at any | It appears that but one Seer lived
■time inquire of God and see and know in the world at the same time, or at
■either the past, the present, or die fu- least in the same realm or dominion
ture. “ And he (Joshua) shall stand at the same date. The calling and
before Eleazor, the PriesVwho shall appointment of a Seer is alone in the
•ask counsel for him, after the judg- hands of the great God himself. And
ment of Urim before the laird.” — the ONE who is privileged to bold
Jfum. 27: 21. Tips quotation is too and act in that office in the Priest-
plain to need comment. “ And when hood, which is after the order the
Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord Son of God, stands in the same rela-
answered him not, neither by dreams, tion to the Church of Christ on earth,
•nor by Urim, nor bv prophets.” — 1st that Jehovah does to all the heavenly
Sami, 28: 6. Again when the cap- worlds; that is, he is head-on earth as
lives returned from Babylon, some God is head in Heaven— only that
■claimed to be of the priesthood, who Gad holds his power independently,
could not trace their genealogy in the and a Seer derives his directly from
register: therefore they were as pol- Heaven itself, by the voice o4 the
luted, put from the Priesthood. And Lord, as did Adam in Eden, Abraham

itamia, and Samuel in the

„ r . ; or by

Priest wiih Urim the voice of an holy Angel sent on
2. 02. j that errand direct from God: as die
i the speculation the Seers Moses. Peter and Joseph.
..... as it was

gw- law, ‘-Be thou for the people to God-

L” Ex. 18:19. That is, thy
to receive the “thus saith

__ _ direct from his mouth, and

By them the then declare it to 'the people. Also

_ v j __ One thing is to denonnee the judgments 'of God

'certain, the man who held that sacred against individuals, communities, or
■instrument in olden times, held it to nations; and to warn them of their
inquire of God, in ordei^fo see— there- danger. And then to lead the people
fore he was called a Seer- Bat to the Lord aright in principle,

luted, put from the Priesthood.

the Governor said to them that they in Mesop

should not eat of the most holy things house of the i«ord with Eli

till there stood up a 1

and Thummim .” — Ezra 2: 62.

Much has been l r

among the learned aliout what this in- ! The duty of a Seer is,
strument w:ts, but I must say that I said to Moses by Jethro his fatlier-n>
never heard a rational description ___
on of it until I saw and become ac- ward.”
quainted with the book of Mormon, calling is
and also became familiar with those the Lord,”
men who translated it.
mystery is Hnfolded.

38

38 THE ENSIGN

doctrine, and in government, so that rightly beloved to Eleazor; and thus
they might have faith in the great was Eleazor placed over Joshua —
Head of the Church, even Christ, the that is Eleazor must inquire of God
Lord. and then declare his will to the Lead-

Moses held the Urim and Thum- er of Israel’s hosts. The right of
mim, (but when or where he received presidency in the Melchesiced priest-
id we are not informed,) and being hood being taken away with Moses,
Seer, that is, holding the highest oi- well might it be recorded in the holy
fice in the gift of God to man, he book that “There arose not a Propet
could act in any other office in all the since in Israel, like unto Moses, whom
congregation of Israel: or he could the Lord knew face to face.” — Deut.
by the direction of the Lord, set 34:10. Moses was Prophet, Seer,
apart men to act in any or all the va- Revelator. Law-giver, Judge, and
rious offices necessary for the minis- j Leader in Israel. And all that au-
try and government of all the iribes thoritv was united in his person be-
of Jaoob. Through the ministry and cause he was of the Melchesidec or-
priestbood which he held the gospel j der of Priesthood. But after Israel’s
of Jesus (Heb. 4: 2.) was preached 1 rebellion, and they had lost the rights
in plainness to all the congregation of the gospel, and it was necessary
* n order to sanctify them ( there should be a change in the priesi-
and thus prepare them to enter “the hood — or rather in the presidency of
rest ol God. But they rebelled, it, then Eleazor became Seer and
they refused to be sanctified by the Joshua Leader. Hence it is said that
mdd the holy principles of the “per-j “No man. who does not hold the
feet law of liberty, ’ and consequent- Melchesidec priesthood, can see the
V «ie law of carnal ordinances was face of God and live.” Consequently
added, and Israel was placed under came the above expression about Mo-
a schoolmaster until Christ should ses. And hence came also a settled
come. And m consequence thereof, and fixed principle among all the
r 1 , " authority was taken out tribes of Jacob, who were under the
°1 the hands of the Melchesidec order j authority of the lesser priesthood, as
of priesthood, and placed upon the . expressed by Manoah to bis wife. —
Aron'.c or Levitical crier. Hence at Judges 13: 22. “We shall surely die,
Moses demise the Urim was given j because we have seen God.”
to Eleazor. One peculiarity we will mention

iVlose3 appointment of a man to .here, when the Lord designed to ac-
load Israel across Jordoa into i-'anaan | complish a great work in the world
#d not, alter the chmg: of presiding | among men, he called and qualified a
authority m Priesthood , entitle him Seer, he gave to him the keys of
to the Seers office, that is to hold the knowledge, and he also gave him two
Urim. But when th ; law which was men to stand with him in his presi-
a stncnw ot good Bungs to come, denov as helps and counsellors. But
was given and power given to the when he only designed to warn a
Aronioor.ter of Prests to administer people who had forsaken him, and
V 0SJ saored Seers stones were run into transgression after the estab-
^ placed in the breastplate, lishment of a dispensation, then he

ana tnat was fastened into a garment only sent to them his Prophet or Seer,
ca ie hpiol, wore only by th<- and on- with him as assistant, or scribe,
high priest of the Annie order.— When Moses Jed Israel he had Aa-
.'Onsequen X ^ )i ? s c_,u !d not confer ron and Hur as assistants and coun-
1 upon Joshua, but it legally and sellers with him in the first presidency.

They then had power with God, the authority until the Messiah “sprang
Seer in the center, and his helps on out of Judah,” in order to again re-
cither side. “And Moses, Aaron and establish a higher order of prieshood,
Hur, went up to the top of the hill, so as to bring in everlasting right-
and it came to pass, when Moses held eousness. His priesthood was *after
up his hands that Israel prevailed; and the order in which Adam, Abel, E-
when he let down his hands, Amalek noch, Noah, Melchesidec, Abraham,

E revailed. But Moses’ hands were Jethro, and Moses, ministered; the
eavy; and they took a stone, and put presidency of which, was taken away
it under him, and he sat thereon: and from the Hebrews when the ceremo-
Aaron and Hur staid his hands, the nial law was introduced. But Jesus
one on the one side, and the other on came to fulfil the law, and to take it
tha.other side; and his hands were away; and when it was abolished,
steady until the going down of The there was no more need to retain the
sun * * and Joshua discomfitted A- power in the hands of Levi to admin-
malek”— Ex. 17. “ And the Lord istcr it Christ had a superior priest-

said unto Moses, come up to me into hood. He held the keys of power.

law, and commandments which l have, also to give him James and John, to
written that thou mayest teach them, be his counsellors, in the great work
And Moses went up, and his minister of publishing the gospel of salvation
Joshua; and Moses went up into the to all the world. The moment the
mount of God. And he said unto priesthood was changed, dr the keys,
the Elders, tarry ye here for us, un- with the presidency, were taken from
til we come again unto you: and be- order of Aaron, and^given to the
hold Aaron and Hur are with you; if higher order of Melchisedec, the re-
auy man have any matter to do, let sponsibilities became as much greater
him come unto them.” — Ex. 24: 14. as the gospel system was greaterthan
Why did it require three to be on the the law. Hence the Union of three
hill, while Joshua fought in the valley in the first presidency. James and
in self-defence? and why did Moses John were associated with Peter in
say to the 70 Elders, I leave Aaron holding the keys; so that the pattern
and Hur with you; if difficulties arise, of the eternal power and Godhead
bring the matters before them? We might be clearly seen on earth, as
answer, because they two with him .was said by Paul, Rom. 1: 20. But
formed the highest tribunal on earth, jthe subsequent falling away from the
And Moses here laid down the prin- true order of priesthood, and all reli-
ciple that his counsellors had a right, 'gious denominations taking to the m-
bv virtue of their office, to preside and selves power — that is, “heaping to
give decisionsdn his absence. ‘themselves teachers, having itching

But after Israel was planted in Ca- ears *' * and were turned unto fa-
naan, the order of things being hies.” They built up systems of their
changed, then when the Lord warned own, “having a form of godliness, bu t
them he usually sent a prophet alone, denying the power thereof.” Eac h
or only sent a servaut or scribe with system, whether Catholic, Greek, or
him. " Instance Elijah, Elisha, and Protestant, as it sprang up. stood in
Jeremiah.—/. Kings, 18: 43—// Kings contradistinction to the other, but all
4: 3. 6: 15. — Jer. 36: 4. [of them living and acting without the

Thus matters remained, with the aid of a Seer of the Lord, through
Aaronic high priest holding the keys of .whom to inquire of the Lord direct

40 THE ENSIGN

•concerning their isms— thus denying 1 plate, and then that was placed into
the Lord, and setting aside his pecu- ; the bosom, of the high priest’s car-

the Ephod. - JiKhoevcr
the priests held that gar-
also that curious in-
•ower with God. —
'avid, the annointed
brought into a

Bring hither the
brought,
Again,

uiiuguig ui cm me contusion, then, amon.
the jargon, and the distrust now ex- ment, had
perienced in the world. instrument of

M en now run to and fro — and even Hence, when
hold “World’s Conventions,’’— in or- king of Israel, was
der to inquire of each other, instead of strait in Keiiali, he said unto Abia'

doing as they did m olden time, to go ther, the priest— “T ' '

and say, “Come, let us go to the Ephod.” And when it was
eer, that lie may inquire of God, he learned the mind of God.
and receive light and truth direct from when the Amalekites had smitten
th Fountain o. - all mtelligenee and Ziklag, David’s adopted city, and
wisdom. But if the Lord should raise burned it with fire; David again a;>
u J?,. at |? < I ua \ lf V ^ Seer, and reveal his plied to Abiather, saying, “I pray
through him, according to the thee, bring me hither the Ephod. * *

A)*d Or no ntotnH I- ...... ..II it. i « i- < v. ... .

m me moe, onng me miner the Lpiiod.

order as stated above, all the world, And Dgvid inquired of the Lord,

3 S it IQ r»A\«* nrfYnnufnfl «-« n .. ~ „ 1 1 .1 • oi » * 1

. . r w ; •'“iu Lijavia mquirea ot the Lord, say-

as it is now organized, among all de- iug— Shall I pursue this troop? Shall

w« U^Tw W ° U d ? 3 “£ and sa y- * over take them? And he answered
" ; lv ebibleet | ough; we have script- him, Pursue: for thou shall surely
tures enough; we have the word of overtake them, and without fail recov-
<-»0J enough: wo have no need at fhn or nil” i on. c «n

oi enougl., .ittvo tiv iiscu at iae or a
present dav for a Seer to live among was
us - And yetjthcy are all divided and coul
sub-divided into parties; each one obta
- claiming to be the nearest right, both way
in the doc'rine and government of one
their isms. But none knowing, yet 1
all gupssing, “I am more holv than plati
thou, stand thou there.” ' f n t ?

Thus matters were in the religious ters,
world, when the Lord raised
organized the C

so thatTh P lace f a S«er at its head, the book” ofllormon
so that the people might again begin ‘

to exercise the same kind of faith '

•God that (he ancients did. To have
the same faith, is to have faith-in the
same beings and objects, and predica-
ted upon the same kind of testimony. '

Then no persons of the present age
can be exercised^ by the s<
that were the ancients, who were m-
rected of the Lord through his Seers, of “f
except they should have a person or I earth \, V1C
?nH SOnS | fi m i 0ng thl r m thus inspired, 'more than thev,

and qualified to act in that responsible | bibed the < '

See , r ? f the L . ord -” church a false

encasement the Interpre-
- . e Urim and Thummim;

n U P an ^ a,, d by the aid of that instrument bo

A Hugh of Christ in translated that sacred record called

. 1 . Hence hold-

ing these Interpreters, and having the
in gift from God to use them for sacred
purposes, lie was called Seer.

[ And we are bold to affirm that
while- the Prophet Joseph, and those
connected with him, all as a church
present age wore the name of Christ; and endea-
saine faith vored to assimilate themselves into
di- his likeness, and were made partakers
. ! “the divine nature,” no sciety on
i were prospered and blessed
But when they im-
spirit of war, gave to the
, — Le name,, and ran greedily

and into speculation, pride followed, then
:ast- 1 oppression and persecution, and hence

41

-OF LIBERTY. 41

■division and destruction soon came in THE SUCCESSOR OF JOSEPH,
their train; until now schisms, ani- THE SEER,

mosities, and all manner of evil with- u P° n . ?° •»*#** do those interested think

i„ ,h«r h. .marked the c„„„e XfSSt?

Oi Latter Day Samtism. And WC nnnds, and some of those too, of a higher
again say that ruin, inevitable ruin, is order of genius, have labored upon it. Some
their doom. They truly have fallen with interested views, and a few solely in
from a highly favored position. They order to know the truth. And when thou-
_ . r ,t funds* through the influence of intercBtGu

are apostates fiom the truoordu of bigots, had -once determined wrong upon the
the house OI Lrod. great principles of the government of the

But thank God, the wickedness of church; they then ran with greediness into
the wicked, nor the maiace or rage f °»y- until wo! hasbeon pronounced upon

of the vile, can change the great and **^*^“1* 5”™ ilf it.iand

. ’ . . . ri ci a mere remnant have risen up in iurtland,

glorious prmciples Oi THE Uhuhoh where the principles and scenes first trnns-

of Christ. Nor can ihe dangers oi pired which -broke down the Church of

threatning storms damp the ardor of Christ, and have decreed in their hearts that

the present votaries of that church, thc y w - 11 act , upon correct principles in all

who have had tne moiai .oura o c, the w bithcrsoeverhe gocth;” and thus re-cstab-
mtegritv and firmness, to now come lieh the Church of Christ again on earth,
forward and commence to re-estabr ■ Having in a preceding article, pointed out
lisll the true and living church of Gocff the office and duties of “a Seer of the Lord,”
on the same platform" on which it was aad having shown that when the Church of

n . u ... 1 • <-« .. 4 i Christ was first organized in 1830, Joseph

fust built up with a ■ eer of the g m |th stood in that most, responsible of all
Lord at if s head. Isy the grace oi offices — we shall, in this treatise, speak par-
God we mean to stand up in the truth, ticularly of his successor, and show tho pre-
until we witness the literal fulfilment cisc rule and manner of h-s appointment and
of the following “Judgment also will ordination, in order to fill the pattern which
,, . ° j • i. . the Lord has given on this important ipomt

I lay to the line, and righteousness to A M revola > nf) in ordcr t0 m ‘ ak e such ap-

the plummet; and the hail shall sweep pointment legal.

away the refuge of lies. — Isa. 28:17. We have taken much pains to gain intel-

ligence upon this important subject; because
We most firmly believe that the time is since the trahsgressions and death of Jo-
not far distant when the Lord will restore eepli Smith, the subject of the Leader “in
to the Church of Christ “ her judges as at his stead, has broken the church of the

the first, and her counsellors as at tho be- Latter Day Saints, into factions and par-
’ . ties; the leaders of which, all claim that the

ginning. Her Seer, as first president, is , .important responsibilities of the kingdom
now in his place, standing to inquire at the rest npon their shoulders — and each claims
hand of our God for council to direct his fu- that “I — yes, I, ’ have been legally appoin-
turc course, and when need be to translate tea to carry out that great and glorious work
. 4 j r i it .• rr*i commenced of God, through that illiterate
ancient records for her edification. The y8ung man . And ’ n0Wj th ’ e hardest of the

work now will move steadily onward and conflict seems to be, to know who shall he
upward until we shall be prepared for the greatest among that distracted people.

< Second Advent' and that “rest which re- ! Our object is not to enter into contention,
mains to the people of God.” Our prayers preamt a body of facts, in a dear and

* , * 1 ..... 1 r tangible light. In the revelation given to

■shall ascend up continually, in the name of j_ g m i tll ^ 0 . Cowdery, on tlm'fith of

Christ, to our Father in Heaven, that he will April, 1830, in which they were told thata
assist us to gather into the fold of his church record should be kept in the church, in which
all the honest in heart in all the world, that 1 J° 6e Pb was be called Prophet, Seer,

, , . , ... ... , sic., wc aro told how he was oraamed to

they may be blessed through iho m.mstrv . thcg ’, officc3 _ ,. Wh erefore it behooveth

of his Seer, whom he holds and will hold in , mC| t b at ho should be ordained by you, Qli-
his own hands. Ed. | ver, mine Apostle, this being an ordinance

42

THE ENSIGN

¥

unto you." While I was on a visit with til the time of my coming, if he abide in me,
O. Cowdery, during the past summer, I and if not, another trill l plant m his stead."
asked him, to what did you ordain Joseph on Again, in order to make tho matter of a sue-
the 6th of April, 1830? He answered, I or- cessor, both in his appointment and duties,
dained him to be a Prophet, Seer, fac., just perfectly plain, in Feb. 1831, the Lord ad-
aa the revelation says. This settled one dresses himself to the Elders of his church,
important point in my mind. Although Jo- thus — “And this shall ye know assuredly,
seph may have had the gifts and callings that there is none other appointed unto you,
from God to his important station, yot he to receive commandments and;_revelations,
couid not act in them, in fa for the church, until he be taken, if he abide in me. But
notwithstanding the angels too, had visited verily, verily I say unto you, that none else
him, until he was publicly acknowledged by shall be appointed unto this gift, except it be
the church in his station as Seer, and or- through him; for if it be taken from him, he
dained thereto under the hands of a man by shall not have power except to appoint an-

I the express commandment and specifications other in his stead. And this I give unto

of the Lord. you, that you may not be deceived: that you

After the work had begun to spread, and may know they are not of me. For verily
branches of tho church were established in I say unto you, he that is ordained of me
different places, and concerted action seemed shall come in at the gate, and be ordained as
to be necessary, a revelation was given to I have told you before." Now the question
Oliver Cowdery, in Sept. 1830, touching is, how had the Lord told before, that a suc-
th is subject — “Verily, verily I say unto you, cessor to a Seer should be ordained? Wo
no one shall be appointed to receive com- answer, that in the law of rhcchurch, which
mandments and revelations for the church, rwas given immediately preceding the above,
excepting my servant Joseph, for he recciv- the principle upon which ordinations should
cth them even ns Moses: and thou shalt be take place thereafter, is forever settled. —
obedient unto the things which I shall give “Again, I, the Lord, say unto you, that it
unto him, even as Aaron, to declare faith- shall not be given to any one to go forth to
fully the commandments and revelations, preach my gospel, or to build up my church,
with power and authority unto the church, except lie be ordained by some one who has
• • And thotr shalt not command him who authority, and it is known to the church
is at thy head, and at the head of the church, that he has authority, and has been regu-
forl hate given him the keys of the mystc- larly ordained by the heads of the church.”
ries and the revelations which . are sealed, But more on this point hereafter.
until l shall appoint unto them another in kis Joseph Smith, as we have shown, had
stead. • * Thou shalt not leave this been appointed of God, a Seer, and had in
place until after the conference, and my ser- his possession the Interpreters. He had
vant Joseph shall bo appointed to rule the translated the ancient record of the prophets
conference by the voice of it." of our American land, viz: the book of Mor-

We hold this as a correct principle, that mon. He had organized a church on tho 6th
the word of the Lord to a man, gives him of April, 1830, with this characteristic name,
authority to do whatever it directs. Hence, The Church of Christ. The members
the word of the Lord to Oliver to ordain Jo- of which, all believed in the divine authen-
seph a Seer, fac.. was valid, although Oli- ticity of the book ho had found and transla-
ver had not himself been ordained to those ted. They also believed in his call to ihe
offices. And when conference assembled Seer’s office, and acknowledged him in that
they had a right to acknowledge that ordi- capacity. But when the above revelations
nation, which gave him a legal right to pre- h'ad been given, plainly intimating that he
side over them. Here we will notice that would some day have a successor, an anxiety
he was to hold the keys of that authority pervaded the minds of many of the Elders, to
until God should appoint unto them “another know who the favored individual would be.
in his stead.” ,* The Lord had told Joseph, that he held

In December following, »c Joseph and his keys or gift, until the time of kis coming.
Sidney Itigdon, the Lord said, “I have sent “If he abide in me, but if not, another will
forth the fulness of my gospel by the hand of I plant in his stead.” But when he should
my servant Joseph: and in weakness have I transgress, so as to hue his gift, then ho
blessed liitrj, and I have given unto him the only retained one privilege bv virtue of his
keys of the mysteries of the things which office, and that was, that the Lord would
have boon sealed, even things which were point out and ordain the man, through him,
from the foundation of the world, and the to stand in his rocm.
things which shall come from this time un-| The center of gathering, called Zion, was

OF LIBERTY.

poiuted out through Joseph Smith, and dedi- c
cated, by all the highest authorities in the I
church, in Jackson county, Mo., during the f
summer of 1831 ; and great numbers of east- t
enf people, soon removed and settled there, t
in consequence of their peculiar faith. But '
in July, 1833, a mob of some 600 beings, in '
the shape of men, rose up in phrenzied fury, t
and levelled all their rage at the unoffending t
members of tho church, against whom not
an indictment or suit at law could, be found £
on any legal docket in the extent of the i
county. No, not even ■me, against any in- i
dividual member of the whole society. '
• When their mobocratic wrath began to be £
poured out, the members of the church acted t
upon the non-resistance principle. If they 1
could not keep out of the way by flight, they i
bore patiently their whipping, their taring i
and feathering, &.c. They did not return 1
Mow for blow, nor injury for insult. O. ! 1
Cowdery, as a messenger, was immediately i
sent to Kirtland, to visit Joseph, in ord»r to 1
•do as they did in olden time — “Come let us i
go to the Seer.” The church had then in- I
creased to thousands, and Joseph was be- '
loved by all. And when he met again his
old friend Oliver, they inquired of the Lord
in August, ’33, and received his word, from
which we extract,— “And I give you a com-
mandment, that ye shall forsake all evil, ancj
cleave unto all good; that ye shall live by
every word that proceedcth forth out of the I
mouth of God: for he will give unto the
faithful, line upon line; precept upon precept:
and I will try you, and prove you herewith;
and whoso layeth down his life in my cause,
for nvy name’s sake, shall find it again, even
life eternal: therefore be not afraid of your
enemies, for I have decreed in my heart,
saith the Lord, that 1 will prove you in all
things, whether you will abide in my cove-
nant, even unto death, that you may be found
worthy : for if you will not abide in my cov-
enant, you are not worthy of me. There-
fore, renounce war and proclaim peace, and
seek diligently to turn the hearts of the chil-
dren to the fathers, and the hearts of the
fathers to the children. And again the
hearts of the Jews to the Prophets, and the
Prophets unto the Jews, lest I come and
smite the.wholo earth with a curse.” Ah!
Renounce War!

Who would have supposed that, men, en-
lightened us these were, would, in less than
six months after receiving the above, instead
of proclaiming peace, rise up and proclaim
war; and send swift messengers, even the
Elders of the church to all parts of the same,
throughout her entire ranks, with a proc-
lamation of war! war!! And thus in their

own names, without being directed of the
Lord — nay, in open violation of some of the
plainest sayings in all the word of God— and
that, too, while the Lord was telling them
that he meant to “prove them in all things.”
Yet when they were tempted, their voice
was to the young men and to the middle-
aged, “Arise, and let ub go and redeem Zion,
and maintain it by the sword.”

But alas! alas!! O! fatal day, for the
Seer, and for The Church op Christ, over
which he presided. The 4th of May, 1834,
was the day on which this army of veteruns
were to leave this stake of Zior,, with the
Seer at their head, as Leader; having forged
to themselves swords and spears for the pur-
pose of spilling human blood. Notwith-
standing the Lord had said in a former com- (
mandment, “You are forbidden to shed
blood.” A decree was passed in the heav-
I ens that this warrior band should not go thus'
armed and equipped, bearing the name of
i Christ. Consequently, from some impulse,
i a council of the first authorities of this
■ Stake, assembled on the third, and officially
• throwed aside the only true, significant,
i characteristic name of the church, the Lord
1 had given; and inasmuch as they had im-
i jjibed a false spirit, and were acting upon

- false principles, they also took to themselves

I for the church’ the false name of “TAe
f Church of the. Latter Day Saints.”

3 ' But when they had reached Mo., and had
e given up all ideas for the time being, of tho
: redemption or conquest of Zion by the sword;

; then Joseph assembled a general conference
of all the authorities in the west, who had
n not as yet taken upon them for the church
r any false name, and being as he said, direct-
ed so to do from the Lord, he then and there

II fulfil.ed all thoso revelations which had spo-
i- ken of “another’s being planted in his stead,”
d as the following will show:

- ; TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES.

!- ! YVe cheerfully certify, to all whom it may
d concern, that we attended a general confer-
I- once, called at the instance of Joseph Smith,
e in Clay county, Mo., on the 8th day cf July,
e 1834, at the residence of Elder Lyman
e Wight. And while the conference was in
d session, Joseph Smith presiding, he arose
i! and said that the lime had come jvhen he
must appoint his Successor in office. Some
i- have supposed that it would be Oliver Cow-
n dery; but, said he; Oliver has lost that priv-
id ilege in consequence of transgression. The
m Lord has made it known to me that David
ic YY’hitmer is the man. David was then
e, called forward, and Joseph and his counsel-
c- lors laid hands upon him, and ordained him
iir to his station, to succeed him, Joseph then

gave David a charge, in the hearing of the
whole assembly. Joseph then teemed to
rejoice that that work was done, and said,
now brethren, il'aD? thing should befal me,
the work of God will roll on with more pow-
er than it has hithert) done. Then, breth-
ren, you will have a man who can lead ytu
as well as 1 can. He will be Prophot, Seer,
Reveiator, and .Translator before God.

martin Harris,

* LEONARD RICH,

^ CALVIN BEEBE.

At the same conference, on the same day,
the High Council qf Zion was organized,
■and David Whitmer was ordained to be its

first President, and John Whitmer and

were onlaincd to be his two counsel-
lors. Some have doubted whether these
things were so, and now- we will make a
quotation from the history of Joseph, as pub-
lished in the Times and Seasons, in Nau-
voo, Feb. 1 , 1 84ti, page 1 1 09. Hear Joseph
speak for himseif, on this all-tmpcrtant sub-
ject: “I told the council that if I should:

•now be taken away, J had accomplished the

“came in at the the gate, and was ordained
as the Lord had told before.”

In no government in heaven or on earth,
con there exist but one higkett tribunal. In
all governments there must be a highest
court from which there can be no appeal :
just so in the government of the church of
CttHisr. If Gi-d organized the church by
revelations from himself we must expect tv
see consummate wisdom and -harmony dis-
played in the organization of her councils
or church courts. And so it is. The high
council of the church of Christ, which con-
sists of twelve high priests, with the Seer
and his two councillors at their head, com-
prising a court of fifteen members ;
is the highest council of the church of God.
And when a matter is tried, and a decision
had before this council, “it is final upon
controversies in spiritoal matters.’ 1 *— Con.
Sec. 3: p. 35. “The President of the
church, viz. the Seer of the church, who is
also the President of the council, is appoint-
ed by revelation, and acknowledged in his
administration, by the voice of fbc church;
and it is according to the dignity of his
office, thut he should preside over the coun-
cil of the church.” — Cov. Sec. 5: p. G. —
ller.ee the propriety of the following, “In
cases of difficulty respecting doctrine, or
principle* (if there is not a sufficiency writ-
ten to moke the case clear to the nsinds of
the council,) the President

great work which the Lord had ' laid before
me, and that which I had desired of the Lord;
and that I had done my *duty in organizing
the High' Council, through which council,
the will of the Lord might be known cn all
important-occasions, in the building up of
Zion and establishing truth fn the earth.”

If Joseph Smith was to have no power,
after transgression, in the office of Seer, ex-
cept to appoint another — which means ur.e
other, in his stead, and that one has been
appointed through him, and then been “reg-
ularly ordained by the heads of the church,”
according to the law of the Lord; and then
that appointment and ordination sanctioned
by a general assembly of fifteen High Priests,
eight Eiders, four Priests, eight Teachers,
three Deacons, and members. Awd then in
the hearing of all, David receives a solemn
-charge to be faithful, and magnify his liigh
vailing, from Joseph, his Predecessor — we
ask, 'is not this matter sealed?

And we say boldly, ttat this transaction
look place as stated above; for we" were

may enquire

and obtain the mind of the Lord by -revela-
tion/’ — Cor. Sec. 5: p. 10. The above
taken in connection with the following, set-
tles the point that we are at; speaking of
the Seer and first President the word says,
“ And this ye shall kndw assuredly, that
there is none other appointed unto you [the
Elders ol the church] to receive command-
ments und revelations, until he be taken, if
he (Joseph) abide in me.” — Ccv. See. ms
V- 2-.

\\ hen Joseph Smith organized the high
council of Zion, and set apart David Whit-
mer as its first President, he by. that act
conferred the power upon David, which ho
had held himself. And hence his savinu in

to Kirtland, the first important case that

45 .

OF LIBERTY.

eamo up before the council in this Stake* he
himself was the accuser of one of his breth-
ren; and the decision passed proved the ruin
of the accused, and in its results entirely
broke up the council. Thus proving that
Joseph had lost his power to act in wisdom
in the office which he had held, but which
the Lord had commanded him to confer upon
his brother David

But we ask again, how had' the Lord said
before that a Successor to a Prophet should
be appointed and set apart? Has not the
Lord in ali bis dealings with- man, as recor-
ded in the holy books, furnished us a pattern
in this very important matter? And we
answer that the books are plain upon this
subject. Please to follow us with patience
{through this article, "and we think^tho minds
of all the hor.est in heart, who desire truth
Sir the sake of truth will be settred.

In the appointment of a Successor in the
prophetic office, one thing we- observe thro’-
o.ut the word of God, viz. the successor was
always brought into the immediate presence
of his Predecessor, and there received his
appointment, his ordination, or his anointing,
and |ii? charge. First, we will instance the
ease of Moses and Joshua. “And Moses
spake* unto the Lord saying, let the Lord,
the God of the spirits. of ail flesh, set a man
over the congregation, wjio. may go out and
ih before them, and who may lead them out
opd bring them in; that the congregation of
the Lord he not as sheep which have no
shepherd. And the Lord said uuto Moses,
take thee Joshun, the son of Nun, a man in
whom is the spirit, and lav thine hand upon
him: and set him before Eleazor the priest,
and before all the congregation; and give
him a charge in their. sight. * * And

Moses did as the Lord commanded him.—
.Yarn. 27: 15. Secondly, when the Lord
nailed the child Saraue', it was where lie
was under the immediate eye, care, and tui-
tion of Eli, who preceded him. — Is? S anil..
3. Thirdly, Elijah acnointed Elisha proph-
et in his room. — Is? Kings, 19: 1G. “In
the mouth of two or three witnesses shall
every word be established.” — 2 d Ccr. 13: L

in the hook of Mormon, there wr.s-.a reg-
ular series of succession from one to anoth-
er, among the prophets and ruler.-. ‘‘ Now
Nephi began to be old, and lie saw that lie
miiRt soon dir ; wherefore, ho anneinted a
man to-be a king and niter over his people.”
Jacob, Qfiap. i . “ King Beniamin had his

son Mosiih brought hefpre him, and be said
to him, make a proclamation throughput all
this land, that tile people may be gathered
together;-, for on the morrow 1 shall proclaim
unto, tliis my poop!', that 'hpu art a king

and a ruler over them.”' — Mosiah, chap.
Mormon writing to bis son Moroni, who-
was to be his successor as prophet, and ateo-
to hold the sacred records says, “But I trust
that I may seethoo soon; for I have sacred'
records that I would deliver up unto thee.— *-
My son be faithful' in Ghrisi.” — Moroni,
c. 9.

If God in olden times, oi» every occasion,
both in the biblc and book of Mormon, re-
quired that the prophets, Seers and rulers,
should always not only appoint their succes-
sors, but also ordain or anoint them, and
then before multitudes give them charge,!
and sometimes make public proclamation pf
the fact, so jhat all might understand it:
need we be- surprised that Joseph Smith
should collect a general assembly — a kind of
mass meeting of the inhabitants of Zion,
and those who had traveled in the camp with
him, and in the midst of the whole, David*
should receive his appointment, his ordina-
tion ar.d,his charge. Had it not been so the
Lord would have acted differently in the ap-
pointment ofj Joseph’s Successor from what
lie has done in any former period.

We are aware that President Wm. Law
rose up in Nauvoo in 1844, ten yeare after
David’s appointment and ordination, and*
claimed to be the first president pf the whole-
church of L. D. Saints. Having previously
acted with Joseph as one of his counsellors^
lie organized by choosing Austin Cowles
and James Blakeslee counsellors with him,,
in his first presidency; and Charles Ivins,
bisliop with hi s. two counsellors. He and
hi* friends also started a paper called the
Nauvoo Expository, in order to expose the
enormous crimes said to be- committed in the-
fated City, under the sanction of him whom ,
they then called the fallen Prophet. But
Law’s ism was a short-lived thing.. It nev-
er spread beyond its first movers. It is only
now remembered as an ism which in its op-
erations an-J results proved the death of Jo-
seph and Hyrum Smith.

■Shortly after the death of the Smith’ r,
Sidney Rigdon made his way from Pitts-
burgh to Nauvoo,. and presented himsclfbe-
forp that great bojly of L- D. Saints, claim-
ing to be the legal successor tb the martyr-
p.n onb. His ism, was not of so easy death.

A remnant- of it lived with him at its head,
about two years. But his organization cf
“Daniel’s kingdom,” which lie reared up
for himself to worship, has been cast “to the
moles and to the bat; .” And those who
first favored his pretentions to the Succes-
sorship in the {Jeer’s office, when they found
that he was niA poasesjedtof the gifts of the
! Holy Sririt, nor pr-wcr.witli the Heavens

\|f

i+-

I II

' t

•III

Jfl I

PI

46

THE ENSIGN

nusuin himself, have left him and each hon-
est one among them is standing and watch-
ing the signs of the times.

» About the same time of the rise of Rig-
donism, arose also Tweliteism. This was
a queer kind of ism. The leaders of that
party claimed that God never intended that

there should be a successor in the Seer’s of - 1 uiese inings omciany oy the sanction of a
fiff\,Ji 1 j f p f I 1 ® d onl - v ele PP C(i behind | council, and then set out at the head ot the

whole church devolved i

which stood next in power to the first pres- a tour, which w&s p,<
idency. Notwithstanding the duty of the out by the influence of
twelve Apostles was to travel into all 1 '* ■

A 1 J "owimvcHuwnii i.„ v .,. uu o •• uioto lutugo wcic nut irtt!lbgre88)On8

and preach and minister under the authority in a Seer, then we do not know what would
and direction ot the Seer, with his two be. The Lord thought they were and there-
counscllors, yet they claimed that the death fore called upon him when he had reached
of the Seer changed the whole order of the Mo., to appoint and set apart David “to
government of the church. The twelve, stand in his place.” And now we ask,
by that incident, viz. the death of the Seer, when that was done, and done officially, and
are immediately changed from “a traveling done cccording to what the Lord “had told
1,” to a focal first pres- before,” yes, done according to all the pat-

_.). - They grasp- terns in the word of God in past ages, wo

reign of power, and hurled defiance ask whether Joseph was not precluded for-
1 claimants. The great mass of ever from the power or the privilege of or-
lts were willing dupes, and lent daining Sidney Rigdon, of countenancing
to carry out their illegal meas- William Law’s ism, of' rolling the burthen
soo “ bowl and determined of the kingdom upon the shoulders of the

~ or of appointing J. J. Strang by

.l-_ , appointment or

Latter Day Saints, after he had taken to

himself and to his heirs a deed of the church
property in Kirtland, instead of having it
given to the Bishop according to the law
of the Lord— thus grasping like the Popes
of Rome, both the temporal and spiritual
power of the church; and after he had done
these things officially by the sanction of -

, J rj - - uiwi out uui at me llfttll Ul Uie

the veil, and that the government of the army and traveled one thousand miles, with
w n ""“i upon ^the quorum all the difficulties and transgressions of such

.!_. £ i- a tour, which was prompted and carried

.. : a wrong spirit; we

nations j say if these things were not transgressions

The Lord thought they were and there-

presiding high council,” i

idency over the whole church
ei the i

at all other claimants. '

L. D. Saints were willing dupes, and lent I daining Sidney Rigdon, of'

themselves to carry out their illegal 1 T • ■ —

ures. But r — ; \

fury of mobocrats resounds in tliei rears, and Twelve, or of J

no hope appears to them but to flee to the letter; and then either The

waste, wild deserts of the west; where they ordination of those individuals have one
say tticy qin carry out their nefarious meas- particle of validity in it-in the sight of God'
ures. Jiut millions of misery mark their All the unbiassed and unprejudiced will eav

.rrX’.i 7° 8ccms bc stan >Pe<i no. This we assign as one reason whV
pon all thmr calculations. Their end will those men have bad no powee with God to

Who " y 8W Calam ' tios - «“*»* themselves. Why when honorable!

in - „ Wry 1 , P art Y ha V scn up honest men had at their call gathered around

‘""T""’ who claim that a little law- them, would soon leave then again. If we
^ the name of I ^ ames r J - Stran S> is the have any one thing in our possession and
an aL; . ' fT . We J T ^ er ou , r waders to give it to another, we cannot give the same
rticle in the second No., relative to his gift to a second or a third person. “For if
claims. We would merely add, that since it be taken from Joseph, lie shall not have

rZ^VT 16 7- haVe IT 6 VorCe ’ P° wer ’ "“Pt to appoint another °„ hu
tne seat of his operations, and from actual stead.” — Coe. 14- 2

wrbtennr%. W t C °n ClU<ie r t r at IChab<Xi !s A ® 8 I ,r0 ° f that Joseph bad not power
written ou ail his hopes of future success, with God after ho ordained David to be his

' f ln . ,? rcc organized a branch of successor, we adduce his worldly-mindcd-
memher Ch . num berg over fifty ness. Soon '.hereafter he seemed* to let go

of Da!bV tbeT edge tho presidency his former zeal and spiritual-mindedness. and

!f ! l„ Lord s Seer. About the 20th engaged largely into merchandizing, into
of Oct. last, we wore told by good authority Kirtland bankimr. city hniMfnrr

47

OF LIB

consummate folly instead of wisdom was at
the planning of all thoscwild speculations,
which in their train, being recommended by
him in the name of tho Lord, brought' ruin
upon thousands. But.bo it remembered that
he recommended and engaged in all those
plans of folly, after he had set apart his suc-
cessor, and therefore had no power as “ the
Seer of the Lord,” only to use what knowl-
edge and influence he had gained to do evil
with it. We are sorry to be under the pain-
ful necessity of writing thus plainly upon
this subject, and if imperious duty did not
demand it, we would gladly drop our pen
and cease to record the follies and sins of
men, whom we onco so dearly loved, and
with whom the heavens delighted to com-
mune.

(To be continued.)

SIGNS OF ~ THE TIMES.

It has been more than sixteen years since
The Church of Cubist organized, conse-
quent upon the coming forth of the Book
of Mormon, and believing in that holy rec-
ord, as well as the Bible, has been declaring
to both small and great, that this is the last
age of men, who will live on this earth un-
til it is cleansed by fire; to prepare it for
millennial glory. That in this generation
all the signs “spoken of by all the holy
prophets since the world began,” which are
to precede the second advent of Christ, must
be shown forth. “ Sings in the heavens
above, in the earth beneath, in the sun, moon,
and stars; and upon the earth distress of
nations, with perplexity, the 6ea and the
waves roaring: Men’s hearts failing them
for fear, and for looking after those things
which are coming on the earth.”

Within our own age, “distresses of na-
tions,” seem to follow each other in rapid
succession. The Cholera, that fearful and
awful scourge of man, has, as it were,
once ravaged the wi.rld, and is now again
wending its way from the cast, to quickly,
and with the torments peculiar to itself, lay
# in death’s cold embrace, the high and noble
as well as the poor — the beggar. Plagues
and pestilences, follow each other in quick
succession. It seems as though the very
furies were themselves broke loose, to spend
their rage upon man. Fires, notwithstand-
ing all tho inventions and improvements of
men to prevent, have, within a few years,
laid millions of property waste, jn various
to-.vns and cities in different parts of the
world. The lean, grim, lank monster of
famine, is at the present moment, biting and
gnawing at the vitals of thousands upon
thousands of the human race, in different

ERT Y.

nations of the old world. Millions of cries
from the poor and tho destitute, are to day
rising into the ears of Heaven, because of
their oppressions and their poverty, their
wretchedness and their squalid misery,
brought upon them by the various orders of
things, which now exist among the nations:
over which the poor can have no control. —
Yes, famine and pestilence lay waste the poor
in the very same districts where the rich are
wallowing in wealth, in plenty, and even
revelling in pleasures. All this is because
the second great commandment of the Ben-
efactor of the world is not observed — “ Lovo
thy- neighbor as thyself.”

War, with all its black, horrid, and damn-
ing consequences, is now raging in our
world, and even in our own loved North
America; and is sending thousands of human
beings to the worlds of disembodied spirits.
“The sea and the waves roaring.” Ah!
who is there that does not know that the
Lord has said, “Behold Ijlhe Lord, in tho
beginning, blessed the waters, but in the
la6tdays, by the mouth of my servant John,
I cursed the ieaicrs.’’ At least, the curse
of God seems to rest upon the waters. No
craft, which is the handy-work of man, has
been found sufficiently stout to weather the
storms, which within the last few years
have rolled up the great and mighty deep
into huge mountains, and then again cast
them down as it were with one breath, thus
sinking thousands into a watery grave. —
Who that reads, but has observed, when he
catches up his paper, emblazoned at the
head of the column, in glaring letters — “Aw-
ful calamity! — fatal accident!! — tens, yes,
hundreds of lives lost! ! !” The small craft,
the steamer, orthe noble ship, has blown up,
or gone to the bottom. Wo, seems to be
written on the man who ventures out upon
the angry, raging waters.

Indeed,- if the wars, the famines, the
plagues, the pestilences, the earthquakes,
the fires, the storms, and all the fearful sights
shown forth among men, in the heavens
above, on the earth beneath, and on the riv-
ers, lakes, seas, and great waters: we say,
if all these things will not admonish man
that “the end is near,” then let him look at
man himself, and see if the love of man is
not waxing cold towards his fellow man. —
See if the very foundations of human soci-
ety — that is, confidence of man in his fellow
man, are not giving way, and all ties vhich
bind individuals, and nations together, are
not weakeng, serving, and breaking asuu-
der. Thon if we can see all the above
“signs of the times,” should we not be ad-
monished that the end is near; and be pro-

4S

THE ENSIGN

of the Messiah. The Adventists are now calcula-
ting that ihii is the year, the very year, even*
is the lam year of probation for the present raco
of man. But v.c can with certainty tell thc;n-
that they ore doomed to another disappointment.
Too many important rontten have yet to be ac-
complished, before the advent, for i* to take place-
this year. Those continued and frequent disap-
pointments among the Miilentcs — the Adventists,
will only tend to brinc.about wha( Jesua said, —

“ Men s hearts failing them lor fear, and for look-
ing after diose things which are coming on the
earth.”

Another important sign, is the great number of
“false prophets ’ who are appearing in this ngo,
not only in Anvoric i, hut in the old world also.—
Scarcely a nation in Christendom, but that nows
have those protended spiritual guides. Latter
Day SainLism has produced a full crop of those
claiming to bo inspired to cry lol here. The Sa-
vior foretell this as a sign of his second coming.
“And many falsa prophets shall rise and deceive
many."

AncTyet another rign cf tho dissolution of the
present order of things i?, that inroad which divi*-
khw and dissenri.mi arc making- upon tne old long
standing religious denominations of the day. Wh>
has not heard of the bold steps which Ronge and
his friends are making among the Catholics in Eu-
rope? Of the march of ruseyism against the long
established forma and usages of the Episcopal'
Church of England — its tendency to run back info-
Catholicism? Of the great split of tho nine hun-
dredth oust*. nd Meftodnis in. tho United States,
forming two distinct bodies north and south, grow-
ing out of ’the slave question so much agitated by
that claw of |>oiitieo religionists called Abolition-
ists. The Baptists, too, have caught the rage lor
division, and in 1345 a large conference of her
Ministry assembled in Georgia, and passed strong
resolutions, filled with southern 6rc, condemning
the course pursued by their northern brethren, an 1
recommending no fellowship with thorn in nil th«-
future. Tho Presbyterian*, who hold the reign
of influence especially in the colleges of this great
nation, have thus far by long headed management
contrived to prevent a split among them, But tk >•
leaven of Abolitionism is fermenting among them-
and has been for years.

To the honest in he art every whcrgiwho haver
their eyes fixed upon the work of the lust day*,,
we pay emphatically, “ the Lord has set his hand
again the second time to recover a retnrHitt of his
people.” He has caused his church to be organ-
ued again in his Temple in h inland “as in the
b igirminf Jin has hhown the pa: tern by which
i: can anti w ill be built up, “ to he a nandard and.
a light to the inhabitants of the earth, that they#
may know tho ruuncfi of Christ is established ;
hire on earth.” Tho iicrt f'rnsiilent and Sa^r
stands at its head us nt the beginning. ' The old
church recorder and historian who vw at first ap-
point' -d by revelation is. now a number and coun-
sellor Wvthe first presidency, nnd is also historian.
All the witnesses of the book of Mormon who are
alive, are now with ns in thi.. great work. Ok
voice now therefore! to till the true hearted,, who
hove not defiled themselves or their priesthood*, is
. “ come thou and co with us nnd wo will do. thes.
good, for the Lord hneenokon good concerning ns.”
Corns then, and 'we will “bo the Lord’s at hiu
.coming.”

day, that “shall burn as an oven,** as he was
to preserve the Hebrew children in the fur-
nace, so that even “the smell of fire had not
passed upon their garments.’* All that is
necessary, is to understand the same princi-
ples of faith and power with. God as they
did, and then have the- Lord grant the appli-
cation of those principles to us, and we shall
be safe. AU; will be well.

Wc intend from ihii time onward, to devote a
column or two tj thi* subject of c?igns, tuid occa-
sionally refer to items ana particular*. Wc desire
to particularly watch the progress of the index ol
tlic Jews into the land of Cana an, again — the land
of their fathers. Thousands of them have already
gathered there, and thousands more must gather,
in order tofallill the purposes of God, as he, snowed
them by visions end revelations to hisppncicnt
prophets. We look at the assembling of that pe-
culiar race, as one of the strongest proofs that
thcr.3 aro “the last days.”

Wc also look at the increase of recklessness, the
disregard of law and all rule and authority, as
manifested in riots, popular outbreaks, raobocracy,
among the people, in various governments, in. the
most enlightened parts of the world; as well as
among semi-barbarians, us a striking sign of the
lost days. It only wants a little circumstance, o
few inflammatory speeches by some lawless, in-
terested bigot or zealot, and behold multitudes
flow together to do their deeds, of violence upon •
properly, or upon individuals, or both. Right i* ]
•el aside— lost sight of. and the crowds aro only
governed by might. W e might instance multi-

•*> tildes of cases, but it is needless. The Sodomites
gathered iu a mob, around the house of Lot, to do
violcncseven to the angels of God, the very night
pre\fous to “the Lord's rainiqg upon Sodom and
Gornorow and the cities of the plain, brimstone
and fir* out of heaven, to their entire overthrow.”
The last wicked act, recorded cf them, was that they
gathered into a mob, and unlawfully assaulted the
house of the just Lot, and although they were
•mi turn with blindness by the power of God, yet
their rngc nnd perseverance to-do evil was such,
that they continued their course, ami even “wea-
ried themselves to find the door.” Here, so fur as
history is concerned, is the father. of all t/io&f. —
And the same history details their quick, their
awful end. O, tny soul, think thou! What. * to
be searched and roasted with brimstone nnd fire,
and that rained apon tliciri- irt» mixture. Ye*, in
torrents, until they and-nil that pertained to them,
were wiped out from before the fo$a of Heaven. —
O, my Lord, was that tha end of mnboemu; oru! is
that to be the end of the present race of men, who
are .so many of them filled with rapbocmtic fury?
Yes, wc unhesitatingly say yes. “The earth,
also, and the works that arc „ therein, shall be
burnt up.” — It. PrUr, 3 : 10 . “ Therefore the

inhabitants of tho earth aro burned, and few men
left Tsc 24: fi.

Another sien of the la«t days H, that so many
hundreds and thousands have run wild, relative
to the “Second Advent.” They have crone so far
as t? set the y :nr, and the very tiny, for th? descent

(For tcrviSj grc.lff or ?J. A *os<U

THE ENSIGN OF LIBERTY*

OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST;

VOL, 1 KIRTL1NU, LIKE TOUm, OHIO, JANUARY, m. NO.

TREATISE^ ON PRIESTHOOD, hood itself is equal unto all those who.

Priesthood is an order of minis- receive it. All the priests in this or-
try set apart for holy offices. There der are made after the power of an.
are in the Church of Christ two priest- endless life. It is an unchangeable-
hoods. viz: the Alelchisedec and the- priesthood. It is a royal priesthood.

Aaronic or Levitical. Each of these it comes not by descent feom Aaron,,
has in it officers or ministers of dlf- nor does it descend from father to son,,
f. -rent grades, with special duties. — but is without beginning of days o»-
The high priesthood after the order end of years. And without this prie^-
of Melchisedec has in it the offices of hood no man can see the face of God,.

Seer, Translator, Presidents Counsel- even the Father, and live. Each one
lor. Apostle, High Priest. Evangelist who receives any office in this priest-
and Elder. The lesser or Aaronic hood, does it by his own faith of Christ.,
priesthood has in it the offices of Kish- The Bishop is the head' over all!
op. Priest. Teacher and Deacon. In temporal matters of the church. Ho-
both orders each officer- or minister is president over all those who are-
in his office has marked' and specific ! ministers in any office of the lesser-
duties attached'!^ it, which are pacu- priesthood. He must sit in council"
liar only to that grade or station. With them,. and teach them the duties;

The Seer, who is always in a gos- -of their calling.. He is to be a judge,,
pel age, the’ first president and head even a- common judge in Israel), and 1
of the whole church, holds the gift -with his two counsellors is to consti-
or keys of interpreting- ancient lan-hute a couit, to sit in judgment- upon,
guages and records, therefore he holds I transgressors, and to condemn or ac-
and of necessity acts in the office of' quit them, according to- testimony as;
Translator. H’e holds the keys of the it shall' be laid before him. according
mysteries of the kingdbm, even the to the laws of tire kingdom. He
key of the knowledge of God', and holds the keys of administering in all;

1 lie keys also of all the spiritual bless- temporal matters, ini and for tim-
ings of" the churcn. His office is the church. To liim all consecrations of
most important of any ever given to property for church purposes should!
man- on earth. Ffom-himr comes the be made. He it is,, with His two.
administering of ordinances and bless- counsellbrs, who should- be '‘-Trustee
ings in- the church in all spiritual mat- in trust,”' to hoklialf deeds, gifts, dona-
tors. All other offices in this gather-: tions. ’ consecrations, «fcc„ made for-
iurr dispensation- in the Melchisedec church purposes, .for tlicwholfc oHurcti..

* order of priesthood, are assistants to i He it is who-holds the power- to Kum-
the head, seer, and first president, in | bio tlic rich,, and to exalt the poor- by
order to e.arrv out the great- work con- establishing in- tile cliurcii the law s of
tided 7 to their charge in this “dispen- | industry; economy and equality among-
sation of the fulness of times,” in jail -its members. And- lie is to Have;
which they- live: each-one acting in j a knowledge of all these -things per-
bis proper place-according to the dig- taiiiing to. his- duty By- the- spirit of i

nity of his station.. But. this priest- revolution; tiioni. God,. Ail! tlla o.iilmr

officers in the lesser priesthood are
helps' to the Bishop and his counsel-
lors, in the administration of all the
laws and rules governing this order
of priesthood. And thus the Bishop
ana all over whom he presides, stand
as helps to the Melchisedec priesthood,
which priesthood is after the holiest
order of the son of God, in building
up, regulating, establishing and gov-
erning the true church of the Lamb
of God in all things both spiritual and
temporal, in all the world; so that she
may be prepared' as a bride adorned
for her husband, when Jesus comes to
th<# great marriage feast, to receive
her to himself, in order to dwell with
her in perfect peace for one thousand
years.

Thus we may see the beauty, the
harmony, and the wisdom of the two
orders of priesthood, when we have
their duties plainly before us. The
high priesthood after the holy order
of the Son of God is to preside over,
to have charge, and to regulate all the
property affairs for church purposes
in all the church. The Seer is the
head of the spiritual, and the Bishop
is the head of the temporal. A God

who is president over all the high
priesthood of all the church, as well
as over all the lesser priesthood; and
over the whole church. Hence a law
for the action or regulation of the
body coming through any other offi-
cer or minister is not to be received
and acted upon by the church, but it
is the privilege of all thoSe who are
ordained to any office in the high
priesthood “ to speak as they are
moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and
whatsoever they shall speak when
moved upon by the Holy Ghost, shall
be scripture; shall be the will of the
Lord; .shall be the mind of the Lord;
shall be the word of the Lord; shall
be the voice of the Lord, and the
power of God unto salvation.”. But
what they may thus speak is not writ-
ten by way of commandment for the
government of the whole chur.eh.

But since God “hath in these last
days spoken unto us by his Son,” we
hold the doctrine that not only all the
ministers in every station in both
priesthoods "may have the gift of rev-
elation, but all the members both male
and female, all, yes, “all may proph-
esy.” — 1st Cor. J4: 31. We believe
in the fulfilment of the prayer of Mo-
ses, “ would to God that all" the Lord's
people were prophets, and that th»
Lord would put his Spirit upon them.''
Num. 11: 29. The spirit which ac-
tuated both Moses ana Paul, we Ikj-
lieve is for every saint to enjoy in the
true church of Christ, in the gospel
age. I he gift of the Ilolv Ghost is
for every true believer who obeys the
gospel, that is, who is baptised, and
then confirmed by some minister hold-
ing an office in the high priesthood.
And every member of the body of
Christ may enjoy some one or more
of the “ spiritual gifts,” and it is for
“ such as God shall appoint and ordain
to watch over the church, and to be
elders unto the church, to have it
given unto them to discern all those
gifts of the spirit of God, lest there

things, so equitably balanced for the
harmony and mutual good of the
whole. Man without the aid of rev-
elation from his God never could have
studdied out, by all his inventive pow-
ers, a system of things filled with so
many excellencies, and so well adap-
ted to man in his fallen state. • So
well calculated when in full operation
among men, to cause them to have
great faith in God, and to have “ Ho-
l ness unto the Lord” for their motto
in doctrine, principle, government, and
in practice.

All the laws which are to regulate
the whole body are to be given thro’
the first president, the head, the Seer,

OF LIBERTY. 51

should be any among you (in the plurality of wives is the stepping
church) professing and yet be not of stone to the highest degree of glory,
God.’* A church thus organized, and and do that in the name of the Lord,
governed and blessed, would be truly by the authority of their priestly
“a spiritual house,” built of "lively power — thus the abomination is corn-
stones.” Truly such a people would mitted, the holy authority of the
be. ‘‘built upon the foundation of the priesthood polluted, and I know of no
apostles and prophets, and would grow rule of salvation, after the seeond of-
unto an holy temple in the Lord.” — fence, for such beings. Many other
The rights, the authorities, and the crimes might be instanced, but for
powers of both these Priesthoods, brevity let the above suffice. The
are inseperably connected with the Church of Christ in Kirtland, antf
powers of heaven. And the power its branches elsewhere, must and will'
of heaven, that is the gifts and pow- be careful “with all enquiry” to re*
ers of the Holy Ghost cannot be ceive none such among them. If any
handled, nor controlled only upon the such who ever held the priesthood
principles of righteousness. The au- after the order of the Son of God.
thority of the priesthood may be con- should present themselves, tell them
ferred upon men, but when they un- to wait until the man of God rises up
dertake to cover their sins, to gratify with the Urim and delivers a law that
their pride, their vain ambition, or to will reach their case. The first ob-
practice oppression in any degree, or ject of the Church of Christ always
to violate any of the laws of God, be- was holiness, instead of numbers,
'hold the heavens withdraw them- The kingdom of Heaven has been
selves, the spirit of the Lord is griev- 1 sought after by the L. D. Saints, but
cd, it ceases to act with the man in 'its righteousness lost sight of. They
his office, then amen to his priestjiood, have compassed sea and land to make
or rather to his authority to act in it proselytes, and truly when they have
for righteousness. tutored them so as to get them to

We hold that if a man is ever or- completely ‘'obey council,'’ they have
dained by the direction of the spirit made them two-fold more the children
of God, to any office in the priest- of the Devil than before,
hood, it never can be taken from him Always when the Lord has com-
again. Ilis license to act in it may menced to do a great work among
be taken from him by a legal tribunal men, and has inspired them and given
of the church, but he must either to them his holy priesthood, the spirit
magnify his calling and ministry, or of “ anti-Christ, or the man of sin,’*
otherwise it will sink him to the per- has worked too so as to try to blend
dition of ungodly men, Bv his priest- the spiritual and temporal power to-
hood he must raise himself to Heaven gether, in the spiritual head of the
or it will sink him down to Hell. church. And the moment he could
After the priesthood is conferred accomplish that, then farewell to all
upon a man, he may pollute the holy the powers of the holy priesthood. —
authority of it, by using its influence The power of one or the other, or
and authority to commit sin with. — both was destroyed, and his reign—
He must use his ministerial power to the reign of terror— was secured.—
assist him to violate the laws of God. Then farewell too, to any open eom-
For instance, to do as the Twelveites munion with the Heavens. Then
have done — go to females and per- man had to grope his way in the dark
suade them that what the Gentiles fog of priestcraft, and receive all his
call adultery is no crime, but that a teachings from man-made priests,

THE EN.SI6N

of building up this work with any
man on earth. You should grasp tho-
temporal power of the church and.
combine it with your other duties,
and then you will stand truly at the
head, controlling all matters pertain-
ing to the church temporal as well as
spiritual. You must hold the churclk
property as “ Trustee in trust.’"

And accordingly on the 5th day of
May, a deed was made out to Joseph
Smith, Jr., the first president of the-
whole church, of the lot on which the-
“House of the Lord” stands in Kirk-
land. But wo betide that church and
people where such a thing was winked:
at, and looked upon with allowance.

But the Devil having one of bis
revelations obeyed, presents another,.
'.‘Now Sir, you are, head of this_
ehurcb of Latter Day Saints, both,
spiritually and temporally., but you.
can. and. must be greater still, you.,
must be appointed Captain of -the
Lord’s host-— Generalissimo of all de-
forces of the Latter Dav Saints, aiidi
go at their head to the ‘land of Mis-_
souri,. and disperse the mob,, redeem.
Zion and maintain it by the sword-
and then your name shall be great iu.
all the earth.” As unpropitiousas the
above might, appear,, yet it was hlij

OP LIBERTY. b3

sippi, and soundihg liigh into the air? didate for 'the. Presidency-^ the head
The whole Legion seems to be in- of this union of States; and then your
spired, but not front above. Their glory will be complete. You can
joys are great, but not pure. They then truly rule and govern spiritually
are hallooing because of the momen- and temporally, and join in your own
tary glory of this world. But hafk ! person the powers of heaven by your
who is yon in the distance, issuing Priesthood, and . the powers of earth
from the “Mansion House”? Who by your civil authority.” But that
is that so splendidly attired, and uni- restless spirit of anti-Christ was un-
formed, with his ploom of finest tints willing to await the decision of an
waving to the breeze? He moves in election to the Presidency by men’; a
the midst of his staff officers, his ad- great council of the heads of the
mirers and flatterers. Who would church is called, and the whisperer
believe it, when told that the moving once more speaks, saying, “The offi-
spirit of that vast conclave, this high- ces you now hold, together with the
cst General of all those thousand of one -you have in prospect, are not all
the “Nauvoo Legion,” is the Head commensurate with your dignity,
spiritual, temporal, and military of with you prowess. You, sir, are so
that boastful church of Latter Day great a man that by your powers and
Saints. ’Tis their Prophet and Lea- abilities, you can govern tne world —
der. ’Tis he who was once so highjy the whole world.” Ah, says the conn-
favored, who once held that unerring cil, that is just the mind of the spirit
instrument of truth and of power with which is in us. And accordingly he
), God — the Urim and Thummim. But was crowned “King of the world. the
alas! who is now in full stretch after universal world,” by a conclave ot
tire glofy of this world. He is de- his sages who then surrounded him.
termined on distinction, is decreed on Ah, said Satan to the Savior, as he
the breath of mortals in his own adu- showed him by visions from the top
lation. of an exceeding high mountain, “all

But again I must be Mayor of the the kingdoms of the world, and the
famed city of Nauvoo. I must be glory of them, all these things will f
- Head of all her councils, and thus give thee if thou wilt fall down and
gain distinction as a great civilian. — worship me.” But Joseph had not
But let us look back and hear that the integrity • to say as Jesus did— —
restloss, ambitious spirit, muse a little; “Get thee hence, Satan, for I will
l am head, spiritual and temporal, of. worship the Lord my God, and Him
the whole church, I am head military only will I scjrve.”
of the Nauvoo Legion, and I am as But the height of power, so far as
Mayor, civil head of this great city ; his friends can- give it, is no\y placed
but here steps up the old whisperer upon Joseph’s head. He has the ideal
again, and says, “Your friefids since pleasure of it. But his race is run.
you have sought the glory of this His cup is full. Soon he falls into
world have increased to thousands in the hands of his enemies and is un-
these United States, and you are so lawfully and meanly murdered. Yet
great a man, and can do sueh grea> his friends are.lefl to fill up the moas-
tliings — why, you can now send out ure of anti-Christ. »To put on the
hundreds, yea thousands of Priests, capstone: To develop the MAN OF
to set forth your claims to distinction. SIS in full blaze.

You Sir, must now become the head They rise up, and worse than.the
of this great nation in which you live, heathens at the death of Romulus,
Now set yourself iorivard as a can- ! they Deify their fallen Leader, and

then declare that Joseph is as much
die Savior of this generation, as Jesus
was of the generation in which he
lived. His name, say they, will be
enrolled on the tablets of eternity, and
he will be crowned among the God’s:
and then reign to the destruction of
all his enemies, and to the 1 complete
glorification of all his friends. O
shame on such impudence! such blas-
phemy!!

Now if in all the foregoing we can-
not see the incomparable beauty and
divine excellence of the Lord’s sys-
ten) of priesthood tor the salvation of
men in this “ gathering dispensation
of the fuJness of times,” our sensibil-
ities must be .blunted -bv nriestcraft so

selves. “At a conference of the
Church held here on the 23d of Jan-
uary-, 1847, after many remarks by
those present, it was motioned by W.
E. M’Lellin, and seconded by Martin
Harris, that this church take upon
them the name of the Church or
Christ, and wear it henceforth —
shorn of all appendages or alterations.
The motion was put by Elder L.
.Rich, the chairman, and carried with
much feeling and spirit in the affirma-
tive, without a dissenting voice.”

On the 10th of Feb. following sev-
en individuals assembled in our office
in the evening and we freely talked
over our (then) present standing be-
fore the Lord. We were settled in
[ our minds that the time had come for
! the church to come forth the second
time oht of ..“obscurity and out of
darkness,” the" only true and living
church upon the face of all the earth
with which God is well pleased ; spea-
king unto the church collectively and
not individually, for the Lord cannot
look upon sin with the least degree of
allowance:” but we felt troubled in
our minds about our baptisms and con-

oi a warrior band. 1 he leading men
had risen up and taken the spirit of
vengeance into their own hands, as
was evidenced by their going to war
and shedding human blood, even upon
the land of Zion, where God had said
“ You are forbidden to shed blood.”
They had violated that great maxim
of the Savior, “ Put up again thy
sword into ms place: for all they that
take the sword shall perish with the
sword.’.’ A few of the leading meii
by council action, had taken for the
church the false name of Latter Day
Saints. Joseph had been commanded
of the Lord, and had ordained David
to be his Successor. That boastful
church of Latter Day Saints had

me lumming saying ot tlie Lord re-
vealed to me last September through'
his Seer, “ Thou shalt write concern-
ing the downfall of those who once
composed my church, and set forth
to the world by the light and power
of my spirit, why I the Lord did not
prosper them. For verilv, verilv,
thus saith the Lord unto vou thine
heart have I prepared to' do this
work - . Editor.

THINGS IN KIRTLAND.

The Church here

, -t at present num-

bers forty two, and they are all at
peace and fellowship among them-

OF LIBERTY. S6

been ‘'driven from city to city, and legal members of the. body of Christ,
from land to land.” Their Prophet however honest we may have acted
and Patriarch had fallen into the cold in our past experience, because we
' embrace of death, at the hands of a could not be members of two Churck-
ruthless mob. And finally that peo- es at the same,
pie had become divided and sub-divi- We were then, and are now aware
tied into parties and clans, each claim- that the .above question affected not
.ing the true Priesthood, the true pow- only ourselves, but all the Latter Day
er and authority to legally administer Saints in all the world, because if we
the ordinances of the house of God. could not legally go forward and build
But in Kirtland where the character up the Church in purity without being
of the Church was first changed, “born again,” we ask can we now
where the false name was first given, receive any among us except thev
ichere the spirit of war, was first im- yield obedience as we nave done
bibed by the Church, we had risen The Lord is no respecter of persons,
up, holding no fellowship with any neithgr can me Church be. But if
split or division of the parties growing we had said that our baptisms were
out of, or from among those who once valid, and our vote had realty consti-
held the true priesthood, derived Irom tuted us the^frwe Church , then we
Hetiven, by which the Church of ask whose membership we could have
Christ was first established, and we refused 1 All who had been baptized
by our voluntary act had taken upon and coufirmcd by any and all the
us the true name, and were Endeavor- Elders under Joseph after he had or-
ing to obtain the true spirit of Christ, dained his Successor, consequently
We had all been members of the had no more power with God in his
church of Latter Day Saints, or of station. All who had been received
THE ChuRCH of Jesus Christ of Latter under the Twelve with all their doc-
Day Saints. We had all been bapti- trines of Devils. ' All the Rigdonites,
zed into some party or other of that the Lawites, the Strangites, the Ly-

work. And during the above men- man Whiteites, the James Emmitites,
tioned evening the subject of our bap- the John Frazierites, the Hinkleits,
trims was freely talked over. We and last and least the “crowned proph-
then armied that our mere vote to call et” Samuel Jamesites; all, yes, a!
ourselves the Church of Christ, did could have come forward and claimed
not constitute us such unless we held membership, and contended saying,
the true Priesthood or ministry of “I have been administered to by an
Christ by which to administer the true Elder who believed m the work ot
ordinances of the house of God, so the last days, who believed m the
to obtain and be actuated by the book of Mormon, who had been or-
true spirit of love and peace., ‘inas- dained by some one, who had receiv-
tnueh a“ we had been baptized into ed his priesthood from some one who
anv other church, we were out of the had been regularly ordained by the

Church of Christ, we were out of heads of the Church. Thus alt
the Church of (/bop and as there is may see that we should have had end-
but one door by which we could en- less genealogies and strifes, instead of
ter the true church, and that is bap- peace, harmony and good order,
tism and confirmation, consequently The Church here had officially ac-
we asked ourselves this question, dnowledged the Presidency ot David
“Are we in the house or out of doors'!” Whitmer and had sent to him a letter,
And as honest individuals we were mailed the 15 tk of December, not as
bound to answer, we are not now some vain persons have supposed to

THE ENSIGN

•acquaint him with his station and du-
ties, hut the object was to advise him
of the fact that we had acknowledg-
ed Arm in A » standing, and that we
'by our faith and prayers were deter-
mined to uphold him in his high & holy
galling, provided he had still main-
tained his integrity before God.

We had publicly and privately con-
demned and rejected many of the
doctrines and practiees of the Church
af Latter Day Saints. And we had
determined to practice virtue and ho-
liness before the Lord continually,
provided we could only know what lie
requ.red of us. We' had the bible,
the book of Mormon, and the book of
commandments, so far as, they had

, “VJ 7 IJUU

been published in Zion in 1S83; but
with al! the light we could draw from
them, we did not know in our present
situation what to do. We lacked
wisdom. We did not wish to act
upon a mere opinion of our own, of
any other man or set of men. We
• wanted to know the mind of die
Lord Jesus Christ. Consequently we
humbled ourselves before him in
mighty prayer, each one present call-
ing upon God vocally, the one after
the other. All being agreed to en-
' quire of the Lord, as touching our
•priesthood, our baptisms, and the es-
tablishing and building up of the
'Church of Christ.

'We thank and magnify the name
<of the Lord God who revealed him-
self to all holy men since the world
began who called upon him in faith,
■is we did, for he heard our united
solemn prayer of forth, and the pat-
tern was given to vs, by which we
uouid go forward and act, and thus I
uild up the Church unto the Lord, li
>i Ut J? ot ’ unto Yes, we fearless- 1
v declare that the Lord then and i
here gave us intelligence “to discern /
the true principles of his kingdom, t
that we might again build up his i

88 from th 1. b °g innin £- To 1
UuUd it up according to his law.” c

u- And through his Seer, the Lord has
m since said when addressing me. —
g- Therefore he shall continue to do all
ve things according to the pattern that I
r- have shown to him.” As to our
ly Priesthood the Lord said “I the Lord
n- vet acknowledge the authority and

ministry of all those of mj-Cfiurch
n- who arc now willing to fijmke all
le unrighteousness and cleave unto me;
:A notwithstanding all their ipiperfec-
id tions inasmuch as they repent I will
> be gracious unto them.”

And as to our baptisms the Lord
e said “ It is my will inasmuch as you
s i have taken upon you my name that
>f you should now ’be freed from all
d your dead works, from all evil spirits,
it and from all unrighteousness, by bc-
c ing bom into my Church bv obe-
t dience to the ordinances of baptism
i and confirmation, that I may build up
t unto myself a holy people, zealous of
f good works.”

J On Saturday 13/A of February

• Martin Harris, William E. McLellin,

; Leonard Rich and Aaron Smith, were
i immersed, confirmed, and reordained
-I to the same authority which we hail
r j held in the Church before Latter Dav

■ j Saintism was known. Since that ~

• day we have in the face and eyes of

• all opposition gone forward to -obey
and keep the sacred word of God to
us. We have increased in numbers
but slowly, yet not even one has turn-
ed away as yet who has been con-
firmed into the Church among us.

.When we first started here last
winter we set out with a determina-
tion to persevere unto the end. and
. the further we have, gone the more
j firmly we have felt rooted and groun-
j ded in the truth, the more we have
[ felt established that the course we are
now persuing will carry out the ori-
1 ginal design of God in first raising up
this church. Every week has brought
us some light upon the great worK to
be accomplished in this age bv the
called, chasm and faithful ministers

57

OF LIE

of heaven. We have had the very delight-
ful privilege during the fall of visiting the
Lord’s Seer; ana be too with his friends
have boon born anew into the true church of
Christ,' as we were in the beginning, and then
they have been re-ordaitied each to bis sta-
tion; and now in order for the work to pros-
per we want to see more faithful' laborers in
the field, which is white already to harvest.
O that God would raise up more faithful la-
borers, for the harvest truly is great, but the
laborers are few.

We can eav to our friends and brethren
abroad, that the church in Kirtland is gov-
erned upon a different principle, influenced,
enlightened, and led by a different spirit from
that possessed by any party, branch, or fac-
tion of Latter Day Saintism which is now,
or ever was built up among men. And if
they cannot believe our testimony, we invite
them to come and see. There is permanen-
cy, light, truth, and great rejoicing here in
the enjoyment of our privileges. We feel
that wo know that the work which the Lord
himself has so marvelously commenced
among us, will go firmly forward until it
will finally triumph and wo and it be owned
of Jesus when he comes. Et>.

THE ENDOWMENT FROM UN HIGH.

( From page sixteen.)

According to the sacred records in our
possession, in which we have the most im-
plicit confidence. viz: the Bible, the book of
Mormon, and the book of the Command-
ments of the Lord, given to his church in
this generation, through his Seer; we find
that the Lord, at certain set times- during the
history of his dealings with man, has had
groat objects to accomplish for man’s salva-
tion. And he has worked among men at
those stated times by more marvelous [tower
than is usual at other times. And indeed,

*• God always works among men according
t<> their faith.”

An undowme.nt is an extraordinary dis-
play of divine power, received by mon, to
qualify them for the performance of sonic
marked or specific duties, which those men
could not otherwise do. It is the descent,
the reception and tiie abiding upon individ-
uals, the gift and the power of the Holy
Spirit.

The possession of the laud of Canaan—
the lot of their inheritance, by the literal
descendants of Abraham, was tho prime ob-
ject of the wonderful and marvelous displays
of divine power given id the days of Moses.
To quality men to go forward and obtain
that object, the Tabernacle was built, and
the Lord came down aud "took of the spirit

1

ERTY.

which wa* upon Moses atxl put it upon tho
seventy Elders of Israel,” to qualify them to
bear the burden of the people with Moses ;
so that the Lord through and by their minis-
try could lead that host home to Canaan.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Tarry ye in
the city of Jerusalem until ye be endowed
with power from on high.” — Luke 24: 49.
The great object the Lord had in that signal
display of his power among bis Apostles on
the day of Pentecost, was to enable them to
“Go and teach all nations” the true princi-
ples, doctrine, ordinances, and practices of
salvation; that the old world might hear that
Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God; that
Jew and Gentile might be brought into one
spiritual body, reconciled unto one God, bv
one Savior, through one Holy Spirit.

When the glorified countenance of Jesus
shined upon Ncphi, Jonas, Kumen, and all
the the twelve whom he had chosen upon
this continent, and that too in the midst of
their brethren and sisters; his object was to
endow, and thus qualify his Ministry to pro-
claim the free and joyful sound of the gospel
of the “power of God unto salvation,” to
both Nephites and Lamauites, that they
mifrht all hear, obey, and live: being recon-
ciled into one body, by one set of ordinances,
administered by Eiders and Priests called,
ordained, and endowed from Heaven.

When the Lord has heretofore endowed a
particular set of Ministers for a special
work, that work has always been accom-
plished. Mark this point. Israel reached
and possessed Canaan, being led by those
whom the Lord endowed round about the
Tabernacle. The gospel was preached to
every creature which is under heaven in all
the old world, through and by the ministry
who were endowed in an upper room in tho
Temple at Jerusalem on the day of Pente-
cost. And tho Nephitc twelve continued
their ministerial labors among the inhabi-
tants of this American land until their it' s ■
and isms were all destroyed, and they dwelt
in peace having no poor among them.

We have often contemplated that happy-
state of society which once existed upon
this continent among its ancient inhabitants,
produced by obedience to the gospel of Jr -
sus, preached hero by a faithful ministry,
who had conversed personally with their
I»rd — who had shined upon them with the
light of his countenance until- they experi-
enced of his glory. Ah! how different from
what it is at the present day. Rich am!
poor, bond and free, high and low, commin-
gled together in holiness, in one common in-
terest, under the banner of one common
lyord, until they lost the feeling of their

59

THE ENSIGN

distinctions of ites and isms, and loved God sing such as is not known among the chtl-
with aU their hearts, and each other as they, dren of men, and it shall he poured forth
did themselves. Tbej had a happy foretaste upon their beads, and from thence men shall
ef the days to come sihen “all shall see eye go forth into all nations."
to eye, when all shall know the Lord from In December 1832, a commandment came
tbdfleaat unto the greatest.” forth to build a house in Kirtland, “even a

But we have been talking of past times bouse of prayer, a house of fasting, a house
and seasons, yet the future interests us the of faith, a house of learning, a bouse of glo-
most. About 1800 years have rolled away ry, a house of order, a house of God.” And
since the dispersion of the Jews from the in June 1833, the Lord said again to Ms peo-
land of their fathers. Jerusalem has been pie, “Wherefore ye must needs be chasten-
trodden down of the Gentiles “until their ed, and stand rebuked before my face, for yo
fulness has come in.” Their cup of iniqui- 1 have sinned before me a very grievous sin,
ty has become full, and their destruction in that ye have not considered the great
slumbers not. This is the age of their en- commandment in all things, concerning the
tire overthrow both nationally and individu- j building of mine house, for the preparation
ally, except those who repent and are adop- wherewith I design to prepare mine Apos-
ted into the covenant of Abraham. ties to prune my vineyard for the last time,

But before their entire consummation by that I may bring to pass my strange act,
fire, the Lord intends to have them warned that I may pour out my spirit upon all flesh
of their danger. And in order to qualify * * Yea, verily I say unto you, I gave

them for that purpose, he raised up the church unto you a commandment, that you should
af Christ- and now calls men to his holy build an house, in which house I design to
ministry in-tbi*day-as ra days of old, that endow those whom I have chosen with pow-
i»> by direct revelation from Heaven. And er from oa high: for this is the promise of
the Lord intends to shortly call a solemn as- the Father unto you.” * • Verily I say

aefhbly of all the ministry of his church in unto you it is my will that you should build
Kirtland, in order that they may attend’* “the an house. If you keep mv commandments
school of the prophets,” to get faith by lear- you shall have power to build it; if you keep
ning and by studv, and by the gift and in- not my commandments the love of the Fs-
sni ration of his Holy Spirit; and when they ther shall not continue with you: therefore
have received their endowment, then they you shall walk in darkness.”
will go out and prune the vineyard for the The Temple of the Lord has been reared
last time, they will bind up the law and se^-1 in Kirtland, O. and stands a monument of
up the testirm ny, then Gentile and Jew will his goodness unto his children. Blit tie:
both he prepared either for destruction or for most of those who labored in building it have
salvation. — removed to the west, and instead of walking

The Lord has revealed from the heavens ' n ***• light of the Lord, they have wander -
that “The powers of darkness prevail upon ^ ' n darkness, their Leaders have falicr ,
tb> earth, among the children of men, in the an ^ remnant have been driven far away,
presence of all the hosts of heaven, which even to the mountains ot the wilderness, to
causeth silence to reign and all eternity is rj * ln > n destitution. Had we the power, we
pained, and the angels are waiting the great wotl ^ not a< ^ one single thorn to their ai-
conimand to reap down the eartli, and to hard fate.

gather the tares that they may be burned.” As we said in our first No., we have our
The above was revealed more than fifteen hearts fixed upon an endowment, which ac-
years since, and it really does seem to us cording to the word of the Lord, must take
from the sfgu abroad, that wo ! indeed, is place in Ohio, in Kirtland, and in the tuniec
determined upon the world. But at the same of the I^rd reared to his name here. The
time the Lord said, “wherefore for this cause [histories of the endowments in the holy
I gave untv you the commandment, that yon books, at the Tabernacle in the days of Mo-
Rhould go to the Ohio: and thrre I will give <ses; at the Temple in the days of Peter;
unto you my law, and there you shall be en- and on bis continent in the days of Nephi,
dowed with power from on big 1- , and from give us some idea of what an endowment re-
thence, whomsoever I will shall go forth ally is. But when we take into consider:-
among all nations, and it shall be told them tion the work which Moses and the elders
what they shall do, for I have a great work had to do in passing from Egypt to Canaan;
laid up in store.’’ Again tho Lord said in and the preaching the Gospel to all nations
the same month of January 1831, “And in- which was committed unto Peter and his
aemuch as mv people shall assemble them- friends, to publish to Jew and to Gentile >o
wires at the Ohio, I have kept in store a bles- the old world; and also what Nephi and Jonas

and those faithful ministers connected with
them had to perform in the new world among
its tribes and nations: and then contrast the
groat work to he accomplished in our own
day among all the nations of the whole world,
on all continents and islands, in every clime
among every kindred both Gentile and Jew:
and then realize that tho endowment which
the Lord hat in store for the faithful minis-
ters of the church of Christ, must and will
qualify them to do a work that will effect
not only all nations of men, but all the cre-
ations of the Almighty also; yes, the work
which the men Will do who receive the pro-
mised endowment, will shake heaven, earth,
and hell to their centers: and cause the right-
eous in all the vast creations of God to re-
joice and to shout Alleluia; for the Lord
God omnipotent reigneth.

We say, when we see how the I-iord called,
qualified, and endowed his ministers in the
different past ages, and then hear him say to
the Elders of his church in our day, “I have
kept in store a blessing for you, such as is
not known among the children of men,” and
that too when speaking of the endowment
which he designs to give them in his house
in Kirtland. Our heart leaps for joy in an-
ticipation of that eventful period, and we are
led to cry out, how long, O ! Lord God Al-
mighty, until thy church will be prepared to
receive that “ unction from the Holy One,”
that refreshing from the presence of the
Lord, that endowment still held in reserve,
that power to go to all nations as the in-
spired Apostles and prophets of God, those
holy tongues of fire by which they will
speak in all the languages of the earth, ‘‘the
wonderful works of God,” that personal vis-
itation of the great Head of the church, and
his smiling countenance upon his chosen
ones until they will be encircled in fire, and
In the Holy Ghost; redeemed from earthly
a flections, sanctified from sin, and honored
of God. Again we say how long O Lord !
until thou wilt thus qualify and send out a
sanctified ministry in order to fish and to
hunt the remnants of Jacob from the four
wings of the earth, and from the isles of
the sea.

Then their message will be “to strength-
en the weak hands and confirm the feeble
knees, to say to them that are of a fearful
heart, be strong, fear not; behold your God
will come with vengeance upon the wicked,
but with a recompense he will come and
save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall
be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be
unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap
as an heart, and the tongue of the' dumb shall
siDg : for in the wilderness waters shall

break out and steams in the desert.” — Ira-
35: 4. Then the miraculous powers mani-
fested by these endowed ambassadors in
gathering Israel from all their long disper-
sions, will eclipse all that God has ever hith-
erto done for man. Even the miracles
wrought in the days of Moses will not oa
mentioned in confpnrison. Jeremiah said 16:
15, “It shall no more be said. The Lord fiv-
eth that brought up the children of-Isiael
out of the land of Egypt, but the Lord I'rr-
eth that brought up the children of Israel
from the land of the north: and from all lands
whither he had driven them.”

We now say distinctly that, when the
ministry in the two Priesthoods of the chunk
of Christ receive the promised endowment,
they will then assuredly bring in “the rest
of God.” No power, no desertion, nor oh-
stacles thrown in their way, will ever pre-
vent them from consummating that, the
greatest and most glorious work which God
ever gave to man to perform. They will
then go forward and bring in the restora-
tion of nil things spoken of by all the holy
prophets since the world began. By them
and through their ministry by the power of
their faith and works, Jesus will be revealed
with all his angels, all the righteous saved,
all the wicked destroyed, and all the righte-
ous of all past generations will be rcserroc-
ted — will then gain their adoption, viz: the
redemption of their bodies. This, yes, all
this and more too, will be brought about by
the glorious work of the last days — in con-
sequenco of the Lord’s endowment of his
servants.

When God’s messengers of this dispen-
sation once receive the promised endowment
from heaven, they will receive all the keys
of which God has ever spoken in his word. •
“The key of knowledge,” that is, the power
to receive direct revelations from heaven. —
‘•The keys of the kingdom of heavan,” that
is, power and authority topreacb tho go*p< 1
to all nations, kingdoms, tongues and people;
and to open the door of salvation to th-
worlJ. “ The key of the house of David."
that is, a correct knowledge ”f the true
principles of government. “The keys r.f
death,” that is the knowledge of the princi-
ples of translation from mortal to immortal-
ity, in order to be changed in the inkling
of an eye, and never know cr experience the
separation of spirit and body as in death.- —
“The keys of hell,” that is, the knowledgp
of the principles by which Satan will be
bound' for one thousand years, so that t>,"
earth may rest from his power and from
man’s pollutions.

Yea, when the true and living church of

60

THE ENSIGN

Christ is once properly organized in all her
authorities, with all her quorums of “called,
clroscn, and faithful ” ministers of the Lamb
of God; and when they assemble themselves
together in Ohio, in Kirtland, in the house
of the Lord, in one common school; and
learn by faith and by study all the manifes-
tations, admini.-trationts operations, gifts,
. and powers of God’s holy spirit, and have
their Priesthoods confirmed upon them by
the Lord Jesus himself ; then they wilt un-
derstand all the principles and enjoy all the
powers by which and in which all the Lord* s
ancient prophets and wise men were led and
governed since the world began, either in
blessing or cursing the world. Yes, they
will hold and use all the keys of power with
God as fast as they by faith and holiness can
roll on the mighty events of the List days.
Heaven will be shaken yet “once more," and
all the dieimbodied spirits of just men made
perfect will fly from the abodes of Paradise
to this world, and catch up their bodies by
resurrection, receive their rewards, and then
live and reign with Christ on this earth —
“cleansed by fire,” — for one thousand years.

Here the subject enlarges, but we must
close. Who is it that desires a part in all
the blessings which God has in reserve for
his children, and which he lias decreed that
ho will give them in this generation ? We
invite them to speedily unite with the church
of Christ. For the Lord has note “set In's
hand again the second lime to recover the
remnant of his people.” He is sow work-
ing in his church in this place, even in Kirt-
Und. in tbi> Stake of Zion, iu order to begin
to preppre his church and people for all those
great events. We have set out with Holi-
ness in principle and in practice for our
motto, and if we go on with an eye single
to his glory, the upbuilding of his cause,
instead of onr own individual emolument or
glory, as the lord lives, ali. will bk wk:.l.
< >ur endowments will come from the lord
in heaven as lie has promised, and we will
then roll on this mighty work until v ! I the
work of God concerning this creation is fin-
isles!, is done; and God is- ali, and iu all.

(To br continued.) Ki».

BATAVIA, X. Y., Feb. 1 b 17.

Mr- W. E. McLellin:

Dear Sir — I have heard that you have
been appointed to the firet presidency of the
church in Joseph Smith's stead. If so,
please send me a form of the appointment,
and whether it was by revelation through Jo-
seph according to the books. I am aware
of the difference of opinion on this subject bv
the various parties calling themselves Mor-

mons; but the gospel is the same among ail
and in aO ages of the world. I direct this
to you a* a friend, for I wish to know th
truth. I hold the office of High Priest in
the Church of Latter Day Saints, and I want
to be on the right side of the question. 1
cannot go conscientiously with the Brig
hamites; and as for J. J. Strang, if the re-
ports are true concerning him, I want noth
ing to do with him. Truth only is what i
want. A. Babbit preaches here to-night,
but I shall oppose him. He says he sold th»
Temple at Kirtland when he was there for
£ 10 , 000 , bull believe him to be a right Rev.
liar. Yours, respectfullr,

j. TYLER.

t —

! Our views relative to the legal Successor
! of Joseph Smith in the first presidency, are
: stated at considerable length in the 3d No.
j of the Ensign of Liberty, and some of our
! reflections relative to Strang's pretended a p-
1 poiatment are given in the second No. —
| And as to Brighamism, viz; Twelveiteism.
j we think that their abominable doctrines.

I and still more wretched practices, have sunk
| them so fer beneath the dignity of decent nr
; moral men, that every honest, well meaning
| man and woman ought to have left them long
j since. Babbit’s sale of the Tempiehere w»,
i a mere sham, as events since have proved.
But as to myself and my own claims to di~-
j Unction, I must say a word, for it seems that
! in consequence of the course that I have ta-
ken I have brought upon me the ire of the
j Twclveitcs, Rigdocitr-s. Strangites, kc. Sir.
! And there are some Indivirinalites in this
i region, whose eye is single to oncuers, who
j are detennined to hare some di-tinction at-
i tached to me. I profess to occupy a very
i humble sphere in life, and as to or enemies
: who so cordially hate toe, I well know the
j reason ; it is sok-ly because I will not foster
■ and advocate their claims to greatnes. which
. I will now try to -show,
i 1 united with the Church of Christ on the
• '10th day of August, 1S3I, in Jackson Co..
: Mo., and I was administered to in baptisih
; and confirmation by Elder Hyrnm Smith.
j the brother of Joseph. I first heard the
! Drenching in Paris, Edgar county. III. —
: When 1 heard it.' I made up my mind that
I there was more in it than any religion I i,a*:
ever before heard advocated; consequently 1
; put myself to the trouble and expense ot'trav-
lelling about 450 miles, in order to examine
the matter. And after all the examination
1 was capable of making, I was folly con-
vinced and converted to the dcctrin- and
practices of the church as they were then
held and taught.

81

OF LIBERTY.

Oa Thursday, the 25th of the same month,
*hile attending a conference among the
Elders on that land, which was then es-
teemed by the whole church, “the land of
Zion,’’ I was pointed out by prophecy an one
whom God had called to preach the Gospel
to this generation; and was ordained to the
office of an Elder, under the hands of Elder
Hvrum Smith and Bishop Edward Partridge.
Thence 1 traveled that long and tedious
jotimev between Independence, Mo., and
K irtland, Ohio, in company with brother II.
Smith. We reached Kirtland on the 18th
day of Oct., and on the 25th I attended a
general conference in the town of Orange,
about 20 miles distant. Here L first saw and
sained an acquaintance with' Joseph Smith,
Jr.. Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, John
Wbitmer, kc. AboutdO ministers attended
the conference. During its sittings, I, with
:,ine others, was pointed out again bv the
-pirit of revelation, as having the gifts and
'idlings to the office of High Priest, and was

, - i e\f Prna

but in July I saw and passed through I
which sickened my soul. Having just re-
turned from a long tour, it was announced
that on the next Sunday I would preach at
our usual place of meeting on the “Temple
lot.” A large number of the old citizens
with whom f had been intimate, turned out
to hear. I delivered a discourse of some
two hours length on “the gathering of the
last days.” That same evening some of the
principle men of the place, and of the regions
round about, gathered themselves together
and drew np the famous document, in which
they “pledged to each other, their property,
their lives, and their sacied honors, to drive
all members of the Church of Christ, (whom
they called Mormons,) from the county,
peaceably if they could, hut forcibly if they
must.”

On Saturday, the 20th of July, 1833, about
five hundred men,, (if they deserved tne

name.) assembled in Independence, and de-
liberately tore down a two story brick build-
ing, in which was a priming press and fix-

•tlliugr vu suv n '

plained, thereunto under the hands of Pres. , 111{ . f ... r — - .

Oliver Cowdery. jturcs, which were partly destroyed, and

From this conference I went home with ; thence they proceeded to demolusb the store

m, Saturday, the 20th, IjofA. S Gilbert, but he agreed to packjns
r,-cc : vedtb rough him, and wrote from his I goods and cease trade, which for thetiqm
nouth a revelation concerning myself. 1 t prevented their destruction.. They next . V-

a rt-vcmuuu •

Iind expected aijd believed that when I saw
lire. Joseph. I should receive one; and I
vent before the Lord in sesret, ami on my
';nees asked him to reveal the answer to five
question's through his Prophet, and that too
without, his having any knowledge of my
having made such request.. 1 now testify

sembled around my house, but seeing them
coming, / stepped a little out oj ike icay:
but their rage caused them to search our
premises thoroughly. After perpetrating
wretched and horrid abuses upon the Bishop,
and others, they agreed to meet again on the
23(1. But before they parted, they felt so

l,ad thus lodged in the oars of the Lord of I abuse myself and Oliver Cowdery. they

N-bbaoUi were answered to mv fuB and en-rfered thrjt it any mau would catch n. am..

B^SaX. I desired it for a testimony | deliver us up to them on the 23d, they wouM
f Joseph’s iiispitalipn, And I to ibis day ] pav *80 lor ( .Uu-eOt .

— *• * “ « •* «*** l “"- IS SSX

“ i'forilio iho winter, about, the Istof Jam.-.!:lro.a out homes and wander-donvly ami
„ rv I attended another genera l-conferonce in alo U e— for throe days, \\ e found a horn
if there Lorain cctmtv, Ohio; at which for it. -J.e woods of the most unfrequented place.,
I was np- : and. occasionally got a meat among, our

untod and ordained, under tho-hands of E,| ^ retllnl0 a

“umttu n*|U - -

diodon to the first presiiletioy oi the whole
•iliirch. as tliev professed' to ba directed of
hr Lord; which, was acknowledged by the
a hole conference, I; also- attended many
feocial' conferences, where I learned many
tilings of importance;- but I spont the uiodt-
of my time travelling and preaching until
spring. In A.prilt 1832, I married, and :m-
nC diatelv removed and settled in Indepe.td-
, t,o, \ ,\fo. In the spring of: 1833 I s traveled
it, company will. Elder P,P„P«*U,. poach-
ing through, parts of tile States, ot; i)iissoqri
wd, Illinois, 1 reachpd.lfpme again fn J.bne,.

gX e

to our homes,, and remained until tlic i»stot
October. Then their tuobocratic fury be-.
gan to boil over again.. They remembered
my escape before, und this time they came
with a pretended civil authority: I yielded
tpysolf into titeir hands, knowing that I had
committed, no offence,. A number of others
were taken with me, and were taken to the
court house about dark, to be tried font he
alleged crime of assault and battery. Tbq
court was. being organized,; when I heard' a
bustle at the door,, and r. number of- voice*

62

THE ENSIGN

crying out, “Kill the <3 — d rascals, kill ing, “Be still, and trust in me, and I the
them." The house was immediately thrown Lord will be your deliverer.”
into a complete uproar, for a great many Finally gray twilight began to appear in
had collected on pretence of hearing the the east, and as the sun began to momtup
trial, but in reality to mob us. All tbelights to shed his golden rays upon the world, the
except one was blown out, and that one was jailor and two or three others, entered our
held up very high by a lawyer. Here, de- Ijttle apartment, our dismal abode, and said,
fenceless and innocent, I had fallen >nto the “Now, sirs, if you will agree to remove from
hands of men who raged with a fury more the county forthwith, we will release you
then heathen. I stepped a little to one side without trial.” We consented, and was lib^
and called upon God, realizing that if he did crated. They led us in a by-path oot of the
not protect me, I must be sacrificed to their village, and then told ns to take care of our-
rage. A proposition was made that they selves, which I was very careful to do: for
put us into the jail until morning, and then next morning early I was on the road with
bring us outfor trial. Weconsentcd, think- my family for Liberty, in Clay Co., where I
ing that even a prison, would be a palace to hired a bouse and remained during the win-
us in preference to a court room where men ter. The whole society, of some hundreds,
like demons raged and foamed. immediately fled from Jaskson county, as

Two large men stepped up to me, and

each clinched an arm. and thus gallanted me “™-but they ^Sered unnumbered hard-
tothemost horrid, soul harrowing, lonesome, ;*'P?- This was a per^cut.on of an hon-
loathsomc place into which mv feet everen- «*> ‘"offensive people, because of thcrreli-
tered. before or since. What! to be locked, 0 bt p '» T Pl T ...

chained, and barred within a little room in a ’ “ -

jail, only twelve feet square!! And that,
too, where felons, robbers, and murderers bad

dwelt, and there forced to remain during a „ ,

v dark, lonesome night; and that, too, without B * 8DiD > Jenne^e,

any certainty as to the future. O thou un- u ® us ■” ’

• asy uncertainty! Thou horror-fed moment Dear and ajfcctionale Son and Family:
of prison life!! Surrounded by scores of Afu . r rav lcnder (uT vo one alyl

beings “who feared not God, nor regarded alu woul j infonn vou tfcal , j^Wing
ther ghuofman.* The roar of musketry, ^ t feclllei ^. s of ^ in conf , K .
and the veils of more than heathen savage? ■, ^ r ,

continually saluted our ears. The darkness ?, uence ° f C T- P ‘ al • :

conuimallv saluted our ears. The darkness T T F

. i, .. * . f r the amc as when vou were herein the.' Sunni'

«»t the night added to the fury of the scene. , lfi ,c * r • ?

rp, f, . * , ol lei*?. 1 nore are some at mv neighbors

rhe next hour — yes, the next moment, and *

an infuriate mcl-O hatefnl word-may « ^ ‘Uy -sk me when my son \\ .11-

i j - -.u -a - J lam will return to this place: and tb*v t*av

n ri f T epinta more inter- that if wouU come ’ ^ ^ a

duZl rf P < 5 , 8t ° 1° T t ' ruef more, they would join in with

from my eves. I paced the narrow, con- Ch " rt -. This you may expect would bo .

tracted cell to and fro, while thousands of j f K C "TF

V . . \ ' ot inend* and brethren who believe as We d<%

* .tW J Zl ? “ e 00 COn - 1 Vice of our divine Master* ro that T might

eolation* for they, too, were m entire uncer- • f * , . r • v ^ 1

7. „„. 1 I .1 ' Lie . r. : enjoy more of his smiles, that I might ad-

tainty a* well as myseif, an to our fate. J J ... b

3 3 ’ vanes in the divine life, while on my way to

One thought, however, kept our hearts 1 11,6 flir and ha PPy land of bliss; ind in so
from sinking. It occasionally visited my j doin ? induce some others to join in and go
mind during that long night, as a bee would ■ wilh . UK - Can’t yon come and see ns once
its hive, to leave iu sweets, and then go in > mf)r *> ^ ptwch u> >•» “the words of eternal
search for more; and that was, “ I am i'nno- j iif * ? ”

cent of their charge — I am snffering for • Yoar relatives here are generally well. —
Ghrwt and troth’s sake, and I shall get my ! Camp meetings are frequent in this regjon
reward either iu life or at the resurrection of. of country, but my infirmities will not admit
the just.” A voice too, as of a ministering ; of my attending them; and if I could, some
angel, would occasionally speak to my mind ; of the doctrines advanced do not suit my
and to ray hear*, and its voice wan as calm i ideas of salvation. • • • When you
as the zephyr of a summer’s morning, say- 1 receive this pLane to send ma a long detail.

83

OF LIBERTY.

I close by subscribing myself your aflfection-
father, and well wisher, until death. f<

CHARLES McCLANEN. v

• o

After sixteen years absence, we vieited n

our Father, relatives, and friends, in April, d
1845, and had the privilege of preaching six t
diecourses to them; setting before them the f
principles of the work of the last days, aa t
we then understood them. Our father believed 1
our testimony, and was immersed on tl.e 4th z
day of May, ’45. I made him a present of t
the book of Mormon, and he read, lie told me, 1
during my absence while -visiting among our ]
relatives, 80 pages in two. days, although he t
was more than 79 yoars of age. And when ;
I returned from the west this fall, to find l
among others, a letter, from my aged father, <
still breathing his faith in God, und in tlia* 1
strange and marvelous work in which we are
engaged— rejoiced my heart exceedingly.—
O' God! sanctify my father, ami prepare him j
whether in life or death, tp meet thy Son at
bis coming. O. may he be one of thy jew- 1
els, to stand on thy right hand in peace and
glory — Amen. As to our visit again with
him'in our.native land, we know not at pres- .
cut. when wij can make him one; but hope,
to see him-agjin in the flesh, and preach and ;
organize a church there with which he can:
associate, and enjoy himself according to
his desires.

Ray County, Mo., May 30, '47.

Jiro. William: — Yours of May 4th, came
to hand the 28th, and it is so full of ques-
tions, and of such magnitude, that my little
sheet will only give room for an introduc-
tion, and the plain simple truth is .always
the host without exaggeration. * * * I

have received the two first numbers of the
paper yonaro publishing, and i find in Them
some tilings which are worthy of notice. -
The name of Christ is as good a name as 1

In tbe next place, you want to know my
faith relative to the book of Mormon, and the
winding up of wickedness. • Aa to the book
of Mormon, it would be doing injustice u>
myself, and to the work of God of the last
days, to say that I could know a thing to be
true in 1830, and know the same thing to be
false in 1847. To say ray mind was so
j treacherous that I had forgotten what I saw.
To say that a man of Joseph’s ability, who
at that time did not know how to pronounce
the word Nephi, could write s book of six
hundred pages, as correct as the book of
Mormon, without supernatural power./ And
tosaythat'tbose holy Angels who came and
showed themselves to me as I was wa lking
through the field, to confirm me in the work
of the Lord of the last days — three of whom
came to me afterwards and sang an hymn in
their own pure language; *yea. it would • be
treating the God of heaven with contempt,
j to deny these testimonies, with too many

1 others to mention here. X

The next thing is, whether wickedness
I will be wound up in this generation, for tb*
i space of a thousand years? There are vt-
- 1 rious reasons for believing that it will.—

> Besides those testimonies which have fallen
1 j into our hands, we have the gathering or.
i ; the Jews at Jerusalem. It la said that a
a • messenger has been sent from the ten tribes.

! to see whether the way was prepared foe

• them to come home; which will agree with
I Zech. 12: «, 7; and also with Isaiah 49. —

fi ! The ten tribes no doubt have been visited by
some niMsenger, to let them know* that th*
ej time has come for them to prepare to come

• home.

„ : lam vours in the bonds ot trnth,

? ' ’ HIRAM PAGE.

j EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS.

The name of Christ is as good a name as 1 j
want, to wear.

Zion cannot put on her beautiful ;
merits that *h» mav be adorned as a bride
a.Icrneth herself for her husband, neither can
she be redeemed until all her abominations
are confessed and proclaimed as upon the
housetops, and she forsake all evil practices;
the Ark being steadied by him whom God
has appointed, and if he whom God has ap-
pointed will not do the work in his time, the
Lord will put him down, and raise up an-
other that will. Although I hold th» office
of High Priest yot I dare not raise a finger
to move tho ark forward without a “thus
saith the Lord,” through the Lord’s Beer;
vet I can set myself in order, and try to per-
suade others to do likewise.

Datton, Ohio, March 22, ’47.
ISro. Me Lf lien : — l herewith enclose one
dollar for the Ensign of Liberty . I wish to

know the truth with regard to that euane*
work about which you write. Direct vout

papers to, WM DELONG.

Lons Branch. N. J., April 1, 184*.
Dear Brother McLelUn —

I have received the first No. of your wor-
thy paper, and I feel gTateful that such t
one is started. Please to continue to
it to me. I enclose one dollar lor the first
volume. Please to answer this and lot mo
know if you receive it.

Yours, in the new and everia-uiugiTTTe-
l nam, S- WARDLLL.

THE ENSIGN

Rocarrns, Cedar Cm, bn, ?

July 17, 1S47. j

Mr. fifffcr— We intt iw ria td taro Xj*.
of your paper, and I enckwe one dollar, m>
that yon may continue sending lira to os.
W e are lonesome here, and ere erant to kaow
more about the people of the Lord, wbo be-
lieve that this is the winding up generaticc-
We aant to know all aboat the tine - bu rro
of Christ. May the Lord hies* rocr en-
deavor * to spread truth,, and sp e e d on the
work of the Lord.

This from your warm friend in the Lord.

R. FISUER.

IIcst’s Hollow. X. Y., Aug, 13. ’47.

Ms. W. K. McLklux:

Dear Sir — Enclosed I send yoo one dol-
lar for X. OIncy for the Ensign of Liberty
for one year from its commencement.
Respectfully, yours,

T. T. LAKE. P. 31.

(More anon.)

of anr thing that 1 have seen of late. — | „ . . : ' *'.,7. , .77

l’lease continue rour rwrer to me, and I : . "tffll^ 1 ^ a

ill ink I can send von Baoce^^eT&ers shortly. i^ e T ”V k m Kirdani on Monday the lt>th
f »i, M _ ,u M p* i ' idav of June next. >\ e lnritr our mend*

, . * n ... 1 Hrnci/tnner m The

trutli arid reasoc, W 3L TERM.' X-

Qnscr, FnaUa Coratr, Pa^ (
April 12. 1847. i

Dear Sir — I have received the first Xo.
of your valnahie paper; and I was ranch in-
terested in the oaaratiM of R; it has
roused np a spirit of wyi rr and a dearie to
have your paper natirari Tbit seems to
be a time in the history of the work of the
list days, that ora shook! investigate closely ;
for there are so many raring up and claiming
authority. I treat to Xa— too and exam-
ined the doemnesset Gath there: and lately
I have examined those set hath and advoca-
ted by 8. Rigdoa oa the *■ Adventure farm,"
in this county. And anr I am willing (so
far as I am able,) to scrabaize pair sayings
and doings, and those cnoarcted with you.
For be assured, that troth and reason is what
my sool delights in. Of aB the “eosor onif
(if I might call it so,) to see a onion of all
the original living sii viml i of the sacred
book of Mormon again mar forward as the
hf.vjw of the chaxrh, is the most reasonable

Presidency of the Church to be in attersi-
j auce, and much Important business Uansac-

Woodstows. Xew Jersey. May 23. '47. f
Hro. MrfMli *: — I hare received the 1st '

ted.

85“’ Since writing the matter for this Xo..
vre hare received a number of letters wfcir.i

and 2d .\o »of thr Kra nga of liberty. awl we (ihouU - b( . fedto pilh!lsh . of

> hav e read t here M b nnnA pfawm recase-l ^ we mn £ , lbem unti , ^ Besl

krllv through. Iarera oct. pfern^i with the ; No U ( . Ilave a , tlDe ft,.*, Vom .. W is-

sp.rrt breathed through the whole paper, and | n|nsin , from Kldfir Adims , «hichwe wan- d *
tlm apart of * did reft retetest nr more than } j„ ^ No _ hllt rolUl ] crowd it ^ U > -
the important mrttrre cotoafted to them. hjrp ollr primil! „

don**. *<WiC len fr&n

L attended Rag*® s cooierence m the , 0Hr ^ con ^ ;UPI „lv. we labor underm*-
»o//cv,.dnnng the wm«ev.. It lasted some:,
mosths instead of 'try — -but wvs an entire ;
failure. After- e

nv inconvenience** which w™ hope will t»-

. _ i reraediedi after mtr general (oclrimo'..
, , .. , s , re ~| in June next. We rhea expect to have a-

turned to my trimly almost u» dbspaw tliat ; rimi eMUbbn ^ t of , WT own. as.3 then,
any or^n.raJ^ w<xrai c«ne up ami pros-: ^f e regumrly at oar own,

per.. Hat suli 1 beirere that has a pm-. - r 1 ° J

pie, and tliat- he vikirhe up ami mra Si fy a
man to stand ;at the Head, anf bear otf the
kingdom in-triainab, and krlng meveslat-ting
ri ghteousBORs. Voe; oncers seeravl to give
me fresh courage. I bow beireve that IUvrn
is TtiK-was, Tba meet oft tias saints in
this place are •saadi'sg upon the “ watch
tower," to bear- what the Sh.*pher I will
si>eak. There hare been a washer baptized .
sitipe von vrere hear.. I;want-TO<j to be snn*|
to send me toot paper.. (Sersdu^sontit sab- 1
rcribors.. En.)

I am your brother is Lupe of the rest far
the people of (Joi.

~ JOHN' ROBINSON..

to

office..

l.’gPflRTANT IN) I S-
We an: glad to tyceive letters fo-ra nor
friends, Jmt- unless they get into the habit ot
paying their postage, we shall he under tis-
neeysslty of leaving thi-ir- ietlertin the ps:
f o$ee-r«-Eo.

XHK ENSIGX OF I.lBi^lTV,

Will be ed:V‘d. iiy. 4 V-.I 7 .McI.LL.Tiv. vs 1 pti>-
hsbeilmi n miCbcn sis- l. ia p-vsT-W fmi.
■■onrviiiirig siu<u>u page, each, si <Jae IKOrz : s
twrfie. njimbens—is vpv.vsct.

277* Ail ' Ictti-rs ta I be Edbsr lusst W rinci p.71. .
ia.urtcr to ir.?ur' >:i — rets r-aW. thy; .

THE ENSIGN OF LIBERTY,

OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.

TflL. L KIRTLAND, LAKE COBSTV, OHIO, MARCH, 1848. SB. i.

OUR PRINCIPLES IN KIRTLAND. | bv a direct revelation from God,

through the gift of prophesy; and

We hold that in Heaven there are | t | lcn was legally ordained, viz: set
“many mansions,” places of happi- a p ar t by imposition of hands by some
ness, or degrees in glory. And that 1 mau or ' inen who had thus received
upon that principle and that only all j their authority. All others called and
the human family can and will be re- . ^ a p ar t in ainy other way, profess-
warded “according to the deeds done \ j n g t0 minister in the name of the
in the bodv.” Each mansion has its | Lord, are men-made priests and min-
own olory*. and its inhabitants suited j i gtcrs . consequently are bound “to
thereto. * Those intelligences who j teach for doctrine the commandments
pertain to this world, who ever in- ■ 0 f rnen ” The priests or ministers of
habit a mansion in glory, must and do j Christ who arc thus called, chosen,
prepare themselves while in proba- i ant i faithful can prepare those who
lion for their place or state in glory, j arc “willing and obedient, for the
There are glories celestial, glories j soc iety of “ the general assembly and
terrestrial, and glories telestial; and c hurch of the first born, whose names
there are separate mansions or resi-. arc enrolled in Heaven.’ They can
denies where these glories are mani- ; teaqb them how to become “he.irs ot
fisted, enjoved, and lived in by those j God and joint heirs with Christ in the
of this world who have worked out j highest degree, even the celestial
the salvation prepared for each. The | glory.

celestial is the highest glory, the su- 1 - But the height ot glory to
perlative degree of happiness to which j which men-made ministers, with their
< lod can ever elevate intelligences.— | fl oc ks can ever arise is the telestial—
It is the glory in which Jehovah him- 1 t (, c lowest mansion of glory, where
F.df resufes. It is the glory which , they will shine like the stars for ever
-Jesus, had with the Father before I a „d ever, viz: one bright and another

the world was.” It is that mansion ) dim— “for one star diflereth from au-

of "lory to which all “the church of other star i:i glory? So also will be
tho^frst-born will be exalted. It is j the glory of all those, who profess
that degree of glory to which the j belief in’ Christ, who arc not built up,
church of Christ must rise or they ; led, ar.d governed by an inspired mm-
will receive no reward in glory. It [ istry. Catholics and Protestants stand

K- that glory of which the sun in i precisely on the same ground in re-
the firmament is written as being ty- ■ spect to their future destiny, in re-
poeal The moon is typocal of the I spect to their ultimate mansion of
terrestrial, and the star's of the teles- ] glory. If they gain any glory it

j will' be the telestial. Neither Ro-
2. We hold that no man can now, manists nor Protestants have been
ever did, or ever will legally preach administered to by an inspired minis-
the os pel of Christ and minister its try. Neither have received revela-
ordinances of salvation unless he “was tions from the heavens for themselves.
(Silled of God as was Aaron? that is Neither of them have lived by every

00

nr

THE ENSIGN

word which proceeded out of the
mouth of God to them. But their
feasts have been upon the promises
given to the ancients, contained in the

that abode and receives a body in this
world it can never again return to the
presence of the Father, unless it is
clothed upon with immortality — un-

Bible. By their traditions they have ; less it takes its tabernacle glorified
refused to have the man Christ Jesus j either by translation or resurrection
to reign over them, by giving direct- i with it- All the hymns and songs
ly to them revelations and promises sung by all the sectaries of the world
by which they could be led, comfort- about dying and going immediately
ed, and sanctified. Thev have de- , to heaven, to the contrary notwith-
nied by their words and their works standing. God has prepared a place
the fundamental principle apon which ! called Paradise, wluch is ** under the
hangs the whole Christian fabric, viz: 1 altar’ 7 in heaven as a receptacle for
the immediate intercommunion by the disimbodied spirits of ail the right-
revelation between Chimst and his 1 eous until their reumon with their
church. The want of this faith and ; bodies at the resurrection of the just,
manner of receiving intelligence by | They must wait until that period hc-
those who profess belief in Christ. ' fore they will receive thtir reward in
prepares them for a seat in the teles- the mansions of glory. There is a
tial glory,— .for their reward among : Prison opposite to Paradise, which is
those whose glory differs like the stars the receptacle of all the spirits of all
in the firmament. j those who have not fitted themselves

4. We hold as it is said in the book ; while in probation for a kingdom of
of Mormon, that “there must needs glory; whence they are sent, there
be an opposition in all things.” In to remain until the sound of the last
as much as there pre many mansions ; trump, when they will be called forth
in heaven, there must be many apart- . to the final judgement of the great
ments in hell. In the mansions in day. Thus in Use economy of God
heaven all the righteous in all the jail things are prepared, and places
world receive their rewards iu the : appointed for both the good and the
different glories; and in the apart- evil — iu an unimbodied. an embodied,
ments opposite all the wicked in all a disembodied, and iu- a translated or
the world suffer the punishments due resurrected state. Heaven with its
to their crimes. Thus none are or I mansions, its glories, and its Paradise
ever will be exempt from the justice [ is the receptacle, and Use residence
and the laws of God. And thus all j of all these who abide law — and Hell
the concourses of intelligences in the j with its apartments, its miseries, and
mbounded universe of God will have its Prison, is the receptacle and the
cither a mansion of happiness, or an : abode of all the wicked who have
apartment of misery in which to 1 prepared themselves to be thus ban-
dwcll. And their residence in glory, ished and puuislied. God reigns over
or their abode in darkness and mise- all the righteous in the kingdoms and
rv will just lie in accordance with j mansions of glory iu heaven; and the
what Uiey have worked out for them- ; Devil and Satan reigns over all the
selves while in this sta’e of proba- wicked in the a;«artments of hell in
Uon. ! all the abodes of torment — and thus

5. We hold that the spirits of all; there is “an opjosite in ail things.”

flesh had a prior existence in an un
imbodied state with the Father in
Heaven before tills world was budd-
ed. And when once a spirit leaves

Thus God in his infinite wisdom has
prepared [daces or residences for all
intelligences, both the good and the
bad, and bas adapted laws to each

OP LIB BUT Y.

portion of his vast universe, and by I 8. W
an observance of those rules of ac- j has in any former age of the world
tion, existences can and will dwell in! brought about a reformation or a re-
mansions of rest and quiet; but by a j storation by the hands of polluted or

8. We hold that the Lord never

transgression of the law of God they 1 fallen priests, and consequently can-
doom themselves to suffer in the ! not do it now. The principle me*
abodes of misery, “prepared lor the i who have gone to the wilderness of
Devil and his angels.” the “stony mountains,” leading the

6. We hold that when a man once j thousands of the Latter Day Saints,
receives an office in the c/iurch of; once held the true priesthood — were
Christ, in either the Melchisedec or; called of God to minister in holiness
the Aaronic priesthood, by the gifts; before him, but alas! bv crimes andf
and callings of God Unto him, and is j wickedness unparalleled they have
legally set apart to minister in it he used their priestly power, authority
must either thenceforward minister ' and influence to violate all the orders
in righteousness unto salvation; or if; and institutions of Heaven which the
he sets his heart on evil, he will be 1-ord had confided to their charge— ✓
inspired from beneath, and he will have used it to serve themselves, and
then be bound to use his ministerial to carry out the purposes and designs
power and labors ior the destruction of Satan, consequently they are doo*
of men. His priesthood, that is his med to destruction; as much so as
gifts and callings from God remain Israel who rebelled against God and
upon him during his probation; and if , against Moses and perished in the
he with all his powers serves the Lord wilderness. Instead of the twelve
be will both save himself and those Apostles of the Latter day Saints
who hear him: hut if he lists to serve ; having po<vcr to ordain and send out
Satan he will not only go himself to “ambassador for Christ " — ministers
perdition, but also destroy those who of salvation to the world, they can
give heed unto him, — “For the gifts only do as, Jeroboam, the son of Ne-
and callings of God, are without re- 1 bat did of old, “And he ordained him
pentenee.” i priests for the high places, and for the

* 7. We hold that in order to pollute ! Devils, and for the calves which he
the holv authority of the priesthood, had m ade.”

the man holding' it must turn away ) ‘J- We hold that Joseph S.miYh and

from God, and use his ministerial au-| Oliver Cowdekv. in May 1829, re-
thority and influence to assist him to |ceived the authority of the lesser
commit sin with. The commission j priesthood, and the keys of it, by tlw
of crime, always brings the one who visitation and the adnv'nistrution of
perpetrates it under condemnation, ; the angel John, the Baptist: and that
but it is a double offence, a much , on the 6th day of April, 1830, the day
higher degree of crime, a kind of un- i on which the church was organized,
pardonable sin for a Priest who is ; they by a revelation from Jesus Christ
called after the holy order of the Son! by the unanimous consent and vote
of God, to use that sacred influence , of those whom they had baptised, and
wfiich the heavens have given him to by the laying on of hands Oliver
assist him to wilfully violate the just Cowdorv and Joseph Smitli were or-

and reasonable laws of his God. A
thus polluted wretch cannot be restor-
ed to favor even by repentence, any

dained to the office of Elder, in the
h'-gh priesthood: And that on the same
dav Joseph Smith was ordained un-

more than Esau, who "‘sought it care- der the hands of O. Cowdery, to the
fully with tears.” offices in the Melchisedec priesthood

04 THE ENSIGN

<»f Prophet, Soe'r, Revelator, and! its character and its name in 1834,
Translator, ! could in no other way then or there*.

10 . Wc hold that he held those of-, after destroy their power Xf> adpunis.
Sees, and had power with God to act iter the ordinances of the gospel for
in them for righteousness until the | salvation, but by theirownact or acts
spring of 1834, when he fully imbibed | of djsohediencc. Hence how for the
the spirit of war, wlicn he" presided Lord acknowledged the acts of the
in the council which changed (he name ' hundreds of ministers who. had been
of the church and officially sanctioned ! ordained previous to that period, we
the same, and when he combined with have thus far left with that God who
his spiritual authority and power the secs all things just as they are to de-
temporal authority and power of the cidet we have not yet taken the jre-
whole church also, bv constituting sponsibility.
himself “Trustee in trust. “ in order j , v , , , . - , )roecss of

to hold the church property. Then
in consequence of these transgress-
ions he had but one privilege and
power left to him in which he Gould

1 - Th ' l 3 - We hold that in process of time

per \. cn | however, “ajl turned away from the
>c ransgress- , bl ,jji up themselves,” and it

privilege and ;^.^ neccsgary for , lie Lor>1 - 1(>

uc,t IC 0011 1 i set liis hand again the second time to

act officially for salvation among men j recover a rcmiiant of his kV >

:«Kl tM was to mpjmmt, ordain an**.! conse q ue nt lv in, the beginning of 1847
give cltarge to his Sueoessor-a 1 .ot ^ ruvciat i ons %( J ESL *
Vfas wnipletod at the ordination | c IIRISX ;yul bv th(! allml givrn thc
of Davad Whitmo* in July 1^>4. cWA ’ k Kirifcuid rose up and re.
*1; We hold that Joserit bmTHS newed {hdr covenant with God, bv

lului o miniclnrn p/»nr<A tnorpnltPr . . » . r — .*

. . - . * I • in mu ucjitimuii!. .'uki tuu» mi.: \

riants and oaths ... thc church, h.spre- iiave rc * «, he onlv true an *

tended civil policy, and ms political , ivj thp lace of tho

^nrations, all, yes, all prove definite- 1 ^ c:irth which God is we ft
fy that lis pnestlv power was tun.cd , d viz . TUK CIilRCI! OF Christ.
among men lor their destruction, in- 1

gtead of salvation, lint while on a 14. We hold that how in this nw-
visjt during the past summer with his ! ganization-fai) tliose who were prcvii
widow lady, I was rejoiced to hcarjously ministers in the church of
her- say “I believe that mv husband Christ. who have not polluted tlieir
repented and reformed as far as he : holy authority, who now or may here-
eouM repent lie lore God. for some ] after unite with us in reestablishing,
three or- four months previous to his truth in the earth, it will be their
death.” ; privilege to be re-ogdained to thc same

12. We hold that in this age or office or to a higher stabon in the
dispensation, no man can receive any Church. The Lord can only forgive
office in the greater or lesser priest- • such and receive them, to, fellowship
hood, only by bis own faith and hot:- in ms Church upon the principle that
*iess of heart. And when lie once I they will magnify the gifts and call-
has thc callings and gifts from God, J ings which he had given them. All
and receives the ordination thereto, others who unite with any branch ot
it must be by his own trrnsgression the church, who may be called to
that ho pollutes his authority. AH the ministry, will be ordained “accor-
thoae .therefore who were ministers ding to the gifts and callings of God
in tho church when it changed both unto them, by the power of the Holy

or liberty.

Ghost which is in the one who ordains only place appointed of the Lbfd in
them.” our *««» into which ^ n g htcou3 cun

15. We hold that the Lord prom- at present, “aether themselves to*
ised the ministry of the church of gether,” in order to prepare lor the
CrtRisT, iu January 1831, that if they great events which are coming on the
Would assemble themselves to the earth, which will “ try the souls q
O hio and keep all his commandments, men.” The signs abroad indicate but
thev” should receive an endowment too plainly the near approach ot the
with power from on high, to qualify dissolution of all the present order 01
them to go from thence to all nations things throughout the world. Ihe
of the world, “to preach the gospel spirit of God seems to be wilhdraW-
to every creature, and to warn the ing from all societies and classes ol
inhabitants of the earth for the last men. It is teasing to strive with man.
time. In December 1832, they were The love of man for his fellow-man
commanded to build a house, and is on the wane among all people.—
dedicate it to the Lord in Kirtland.- But as the world increases in wack-
\nd in 1833 Kirtland was dedicated edness, tnc saints of the Lord mus
as a stake to Zion, and the founda- and will increase in light, and in pow-
lions of a house were laid in great jer with God, and in fav oi _with all
solemnity by a general assembly of, people, until Zion will be ^«£ied
the Church — “In which house (the and established no more to be thrown
Lord said) I design to endow those down forever. 1 hen the \ictory will
whom 1 have chosen.” But before be won, the saints rest . wd) be pure,
the house was builded, those peoj^cUhe kingdoms and the dominion Wil
who commenced it became another; be the Lord's and glory , peace, tu
church, they Were influenced and led! rest Will be universal over the whole
hv another spirit, and were governed j earth amen and amen,
bv many altogether different prinCi- , 18. .1 c hold that m order to pro

pies: hence we boldly affirm that nolduce that happy state of thrall
endowment from God has as yet ever ; the gil ts from God, all the authorities
Iwen given in Kirtland. From thence from Jesus Christ, ah the means a
men endued have never yet gone to instruments used of old, and all the
all nations of men in our age. powers which the Lord ever bestow*

16 We hold that “ the designs and ed upon any and all the holy proph-
purposes of God cannot be frustrated,” ets in any' and every former ago »«*•
and in as much as he has said that be the world began, must and Will be
would endow his chosen ministers in given to the numsfeN ^ Ghrist m
Kirtland, we have no hesitancy in bis church— m ou.r own day, . «»
still expecting it, and in looking for it age, m order to qualify and to assist,
to vet take place in Kirtland, accord- them in this great and marvelous
j„»r to the design, the purpose, and the work. There will lie a kind of t.on-
soTemn promise of him who cannot ccntration of all the wisdom, _ light
lie The great object of the church and power that man ever enjoy ed
r,F Christ then, in her different from his God, committed into the
branches, is to prepare for the recep- hands of the “raHqd.andchosei^ am
AT thnt nnwet. that inspiration [ faithful ambassadors of Christ.

thus qualified

This army of veterans thus qualified
will go forth and follow the Lamb
whithersoever he goeth, clothed in
fine linen white and clean, and will
labor “j>erfectly joined together ip

TO

THE ENSIGN

|/V

Up
i?' i

i

the same mind and the same judg- which to enter the ark, so baptism
ment, and will ultimately bring in “the and confirmation by one holding legal
rest to the people of God.” authority is the door into the church ,

19 . We hold that as an opposite, and none others but the “willing and
every spirit of evil, of mischief, and obedient” will live through the burn-
of wickedness, .that ever tortured or wig day. none others will enter the
tormented the world in any and in all Millennial rest with the yieoplc of the
past ages since Adam, will in this age Lord, as heirs of the New World — -
be let loose among the inhabitants of “cleansed by fire;” none others of
earth for their destruction, and they all the vast concourses of people who
will be wasted by tens, by hundreds, live in this age, will finally enter ce-
by thpusands, and by millions, anti lestial glory at the right nand of God,
finally, “the inhabitants of the earth when the Messiah shall utter the
will be burned, and but few men left.” voice of heaven, saying, “Come ye

20. We hold that when the Lord blessed of my Father, inherit the
commenced to do a work in any for, kingdom prepared for you from the
mer dispensation, he always estab-' foundation of the world.”

lished a special order of Priesthood 22. We hold that none are mem-
or ministry to accomplish that work ; j tiers in fellowship in “the obly true
and in no instance did he change that and living church of Christ,” except
specific order unless the people re, they have been born into it since the
belled against him and fell as Israel tenth day of February, 1847; about
did in the wilderness when “ the Law which time the Lord “ set his hand
was added because of transgression again the second time to recover a
till the seed should come.” Hence remnant of his people.” All the
the Twelve Apostles of the letter schemes of false prophets, all the
Day Saints standing at the head of contentions of bigots, zealots, or the
that body, proves definitely that they sell-righteous, all the howlings of tiio
are fallen, Tiiev with tlieit follow- would-be great ones, who are misera-
ers claim to lie the same true and J bly disappointed, or all the wailings
original church which was organized of the fallen from power with God,
on the 6th day of April, 1830. That j to the contrary notwithstanding. For
church was organized and the work j we know tnat the Ixird has said —
was commenced in this age with a ! “ This generation shall not all pass
Seer at the head : but now if we J away until every vestige uf wicked*
could believe them the whole order ness shall be swept oft’ this earth, and
at the death of Joseph was changed, i the earth shall enter upon its rest of
the tables were turned, and the next j one thousand years.”
quorum in authority, the Twelve are 23. We hold and wo know that
head. Thus changing the whole or- the Ixird does reveal himself to the
der of the government which the people of his church now, as in times
Lord at first established. Which of old, by his own voice, by the min*
proves them fallen without an other istration of angels, by dreams, bv
argument. open visions, and by the gifts of his

21. W e hold that all persons in or- ; holy spirit, inspiring men now to speak
der to be prepared for the second ad - 1 “ as moved upon by the Holy Ghost,”
vent “ which is soon at hand.” must so that the righteous who thus be-
unite themselves with the Chi rch lievc and are thus actuated, really
of CmnsT, as much so as those saved have “ the faith which was once dc-

. 7* d°°d had to enter the ark iivered unto the saints.”

With Noah. As there was a door by 24. W r e hold that Kirtland was the

OF LIBERTY.

71

first and only Stake of Zion ever ap-
pointed in this generation, by the fin-
ger of the Lord, for the gathering
together of the members of the church
of Christ, to prepare for the second
coming of Messiah. Zion was point-
ed out and dedicated in 1831, by the
first authorities of the church. It is
not a Stake, but is itself, the centre
of the whole promised land of the
New Jerusalem, it is the main edifice
which is to be propped by Stakes,
held steady by braces, and to be
screened by curtains, planted, appoint-
ed, and spread abroad in different
places for the strength of the habita-
tion of mount Zion, until the Lord
will there “ destroy tffo face of the
covering cast over all people, and the
vail that is spread over all nations. —
He will there swallow up death in
victory, and the Lord God will wipe
away tears from ofT all faces; and the
rebuke of his people shall be taken
away from ofT all the earth.”

25. We hold that after the church
of Christ was organized and estab-
lished in Kirtland, and it became the
seat of the first authorities of the ;
whole church, no people ever pros-
pered considering all the circumstan-
ces equal to them. Here they wore
the true name, kept and manifested
the true spirit, and practiced the true
principles of Christ. But finally here
is the place where “it was given to
Satan to make war with the Saints,
and to overcome them.” Here he
infused into the leading, men the infer-
nal spirit and practice of war. Here
he inspiied them to take for the church
and for themselves false and inappro-
priate names. Here, because of his
insinuations, they entered into large
and ruinous speculations — into secret
assemblages, and formed them into
secret hands and societies to do mis-
chief, and caused them to administer
to each other horrid oaths and impi-
ous imprecations. Here he led them
into the awful spirit and practices of

lying, of drunkenness, of adultery, of
jealousies, of pride, of oppression, of
persecution, and of fightings, even in
the Temple which they had reared in
which to worship God, and thus made
the “ House of the Lord a den of
thieves.”

26. We hold that here where the
church fell, it has risen again, and the
leading authorities will, here in Kirt-
land, have to oppose all and every
one of the above spirits of mischief,
and practices of evil; and all other
iniquities which may present them-
selves, or otherwise the Lord will not
lead them to certain victory, and to
triumph; all which we have done and
are doing from day to day, and from
week to week, and we “rejoice and
continue to rejoice” in the privilege.
Erom this place have the wicked ser-
vants, who polluted their way before
the Lord, fled when no man pursued
them. And then after their wicked-
ness had cast them out, they have
turned and tried to curse this place
which the Lord had consecrated to
himself and blessed, but thus far their
curses have fallen heavily upon their
own heads. And verily, verily, thus
saith the Lord, all those hereafter
who attempt to curse Kirtland, I will
sorely visit their curses upon their
own heads, but I will bless Kirtland,
and my church in it shall rise'in beau-
ty, in strength, in numbers, and in
power, wisdom and glory, until my
people who faithfully serve me shall
be satisfied wit,h my goodness forever,
Amen. Editor.

THE COVENANTS LANDS.

The first act of the Creator of the
world, after he had formed or builded
man out of the dust of the earth, and
“ man became a living soul,” was to
plant a garden in the land of Eden.
“And the Lord God took the man
and put him into the garden of Eden,
to dress it and to keep it”

TBS ENSIGN

: The delightful employment of Hor-
ticulture was the first required at the
hand of man by his Creator, after be
had received the mandate, u Be fruit-
ful, and multiply, and replenish the
earth, and subdue it, * * and hare
dominion over every living thing that
moveth upon the earth.” In the be-
ginning God put all things under the
feet of man, whom he had made in
his own image, and after his own like-
ness. For, says Paul, “ in that he nut
all in subjection under him, he left
nothing not put under him.” — Heb. 2:
8t Adam was heir of the world, but
had his residence and employment in
Eden. There was not a man or an-
imal to dispute his claim. His busi-
ness was to multiply and replenish the
earth , to subdue it and have dominion
over all animate life that dwelt upon
its face. The wide world was his to
inhabit, to inherit, to replenish, and to
rule over.

But Adam sinned, enmity was in-
troduced, and war followed with all
its evil consequences. By transgress-
ion man lost the dominion ana rule
over the all things, which had been
put under his feet. He fell and be-
came subject unto misrule, to blood-
shed and to death. But Adam was
still heir of the world, and this heir-
ship of the whole earth descended by
birthright to his posterity, notwith-
standing he had sinned. The oldest
living son always claimed it when it
passed from the hands of the father at
his death; except he had lost that high-
est of all earthly rights by trans-
gression, as Cain, Esau and Reuben
did. Cain lost his by murder, the
highest crime that man can commit,
except only the sin against the Holy
Ghost. Esau lost his by bargain and
sale with his brother Jacob. And
Reuben lost his by going up to his
father’s couch: Hence it passed from
Adam ta^Seth, Enos, Cain an, Mahala-
leel, Jared, Enoch, Mathuselah, La-

the flood, because of
which immersed the whole face ot
the earth with water. “By faith
Noah being warned of God of things
not seen as yet, moved with fear.pre-
pared an ark to the saving of h»
house; by which be condemned the
world, and became heir of the right-
eousness which is by frith.*

From Noah the birthright and
heirship passed to Shew, the second
soh of Noah, and through ms hneage
down to Abraham. But before Aula-
ham’s day, by idolatrvand other wick-
edness his fathers had lost the rule
and dominion over the whole earth.
Men had congregated into nations
and were governed by different rules,
who were frequently at war with
each other. Their language had be-
come confused, and jealousies were
easily stirred up among them. And
when feuds once arose among them
then the war was not only for coo-
quest, but for dominion also: and the
weak generally fell either m battle or
into the hands of the strong, with
their cities and territory. And thus
were kingdoms bu3t up unto man.
Thus Nimrod, the mighty hunter be-
fore the Lord, got his fame for his
prowess among men.

When the earth was this being
divided, and subdued by parties, and
dominion gained by oppression; idola-
try soon became common among men.

but the legal heirship belonged to
Abraham, notwithstanding he had hx*t
the dominion. Usurpers had risen
up and obtained the dominion of dif-
ferent portions of the earth, by con-
quest. Bv faith Abraham claimed a
land at the hand of his God. Con-
sequently the Lord said to ban. •‘Get
thee out of thy country, and from thy
kindred, aQd from thy father ’ s house
unto a land that I will show thee.

And when Abraham rose up with
Ms substance, and his immediate
friends, and passed into toe land ot

mack, and Noel), in whose days came ‘Canaan; the Lord appeared onto Mm

OP LIBERTY.

thrtfcy and aid, “Unto thy 6ced will I five
this land. And when Abraham Was ninety
and nine years old, the Lord appeared to him
a yarn, while he was sojourning in the land
of C»naan, and said. “I will give unto thee,
and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein
thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan,
tar an everlasting possession; and I will be
their God."

The Lord appeared unto Abraham’s son
Isaac, in the times of famine, and said, “ Go
not down into Egypt; dwell in the land that
I shall tell thee of. Sojourn in the land,
•od l will be with thee, and 1 will bless thee:
tor unto thee and unto thy seed, I will give
all these countries; and'I will perform the
oath which I swear unto Abraham. And I
will make thy seed to multiply as the stars
of heaven, and 1 will give unto thy seed all
these countries: and in thy seed shall all the
Rations of the earth be blessed.” These
great promises were thus renewed unto Isaac;
because the righteous having lost the do-
minion of the whole, earth, God had, in order
to secure a seed unto himself, through whose
lineage his Son, his only begotten Son
ahould bo born, had entered into covenant
with Abraham to give to him and to his
seed after him, a small portion only — a mere
garden apot, of rivers, hills, mountains, and
vallies. And surely “it flowed with milk
and honey.”

The Lord met Jacob while journeying
through this peculiar land, and outofheaven
said to him, “ 1 am the Lord God of Abra-
ham thy father, and the God of. Isaac: the
land w hereon thou liest, to thee will I give
jr, and to thv seed; and thv seed shall be as

tiona of a thousand years. Which cove-
nant be made with Abraham and his
unto Isaac; and confirmed the same unto 1
Jacob for a law, and to all lame! for an ev-
erlasting covenant, saying, unto thee- wiD I
givo the land of Canaan, the lot of year in-
heritance. When they wefe but a few- men
in number; yea, very few, and strangers in
it. When they went from one nation to
another, from one kingdom to another peo-
ple, he suffered do man to do them wrong,
yea, he reproved kinga for tbeir sakes: ray-
ing, Touch not mine anointed, and do my
prophets no harm.— -Psalm 406: 6.

All the displaya of divine power through
the instrumentality of Moses and Aaron,
with tbeir wondrous rod in Egypt, the smit-
ing and division of the Red Sea, the great
path made through the salty deep, the roll-
ing in of the floods upon the Egyptians to

drown them, as described by the Psalmist,
O, God, the waters saw thee: they were

the dust of the earth; and thou shall spread
abroad to the west, and to the east, and to
the north, and to the south: and in thee and
in thy seed shall all the families of the earth
be blessed. And behold 1 am with thee,
and will keep thee in all places whither thou
goest. and I will bring thee again into this
iand.” Jacob was the lineal descendant, the
legal heir, because ho had purchased the
birthright, and he had been ordained to bo
the chief ruler under his father's hand. —
“And Isaac said unto Esau, Behold, I have
made Jacob thy Lord, and all his brethren
have I given him for servants. Let people
serve Jacob, and nations how down to him;
let him be lord over his brethren.”

The Psalmist, when speaking upon this
subject, thus describes it, “O, ye seed of
Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob
his chosen: he is the Lord our God; his
judgments are in all the earth. He hath re-
membered his covenant forever, ;the word
which he hath commanded to tho gonera-

nfraid: the depths also were troubled. The
clouds poured out water; the skies sent out
a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.—
The voice of thy thunder was in the heav-
en: the lightnings lighted the world: the
earth trembled and shook. Thou leddest
thy people like a flock by the band of Moses
and Aaron, 77 : 17. The raining of manna
from heaven to feed and miraculously sustain
the multiplied thousands of Israel, the
spreading oat of a cloud for a covering by
day, and for a fire to give ]igh\ by night, the
opening of tho flinty rock for waters to gosh
out to quench their thirst: ye®, all the stu-
pendous manifestations of the power of God
in bringing Israel from Goshen to Canann;
all, yes, all these and a thousand things more
were done in order to fulfill the covenant
made with Abraham, bv the author
builder of this universe, in giving to bis
seed the possession of that wondrous land of
Canaan. By the guidance of the Lord
through the instrumentality of Moses, Aaron
and Hur, and then, after the introduction of
the law, by Joshua and Eleazur that pecu-
liar race, that chosen people were led by
signs and wonders for forty years in or-
der to gain Canann, “ And into Canaan tbev
came.”

But centuries afterward when that pecu-
liar race ceased to commune with and re-
ceive instruction from the God of Abraham,
as did their forefathers in the beginning,
when their priesthood or rather the priests
in it, had corrupted their way before the
Lord, when they as a people had killed the
prophets, and stoned them that were sent
unto them, when they had in tbeir highest
tribunal or court, condemned “Thy just

f

f»

the ensign

one" for naught, when they ro»e op and
said, u this is the hbir, come let us Ml hw»>
that the inheritance may be ours,” when
they said of the only begotten of the Father,
«his blood be upon us and our children,
when they had rejected the offers of life and
saltation through Christ and bis apostles,,
when their cup of iniquity was full, “They
fell by the edge of the sword, and were led
away captive into all nations,” The sore
judgments of desolation rested upon them
even in the land of Canaan, the covenant
land, the consecrated land, the land of pro-
phets, the land of wonders, the land of the
only begotten of the Father, the land of the
twelve apostles, the ambassadors of Christ,
until by calamities they as a nation ceased
to exist, were laid waste; or driven away to
remain until “the fulness of the Gentiles be
come in,” and then they have promise that
their seed shall return and inherit that land,
even the covenant land of their Fathers.

But now let us return a little, when the
whole earth was of one language, and of
one speech, and unitedly undertook to build
a city and a tower in the land of Shinar,
whose top might reach unto heaven, and to
make them a name, lest they might bo scat-
tered upon the face of the whole earth. Gen.
11, The means the people of Shiner took
to save themselves, proved their dispersion.

« And from thence did the Lord scatter
them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
Gen. 11:9. That saying of holy writ be-
ing true soote of the Bableites must have
come to our American land, for it is a part
of God's earth.

The bock of Mormon was found in 1827,
and translated by Joseph Smith, and writ-
ten from his mouth mostly by Oliver Cow-
dcry, and published to the world in Palmyra,
in the state of New York, in 1830. That
i acred record contains some of the cove-
nants of the same God of Israel, with indi-
viduals relative to this our New World.

The book of Ether in that book, details
that a colony left the land of Shinar at the
time of the confusion of language there, and I
were led by two brothers, Moriancumer and 1
JaTcd, who were inspired of God, and who
led them as they were directed. When
Moriancumer had cried unto the Lord, he
hearkened and said to him, “ Go ti and gath-
er together your families and their friends, ;
your flocks, and seeds of every ki id; and'
when thou hast done this thou shalt go at
their head down in the valley, which is
northward. Aud there I will meet tbee,
and I will go before thee into a land which
is choice above all the land of the earth.—
And I will bless thee, and thy seed, and

raise up unto me «f thy seed, cad dTAeaef^
of thy brother, and those who dd
thee, a great nation. And there aha! he

none greater upon all the face of than earth.
And the Lord did go before th tre, ami d«d
talk with them as he stood io a dread, and
gave directions whither they shodd U»*d-
Suffiee it to sav that this eotaar *» ted
of the Lord until they carer to the great
waters, and there by the drectwo of the
Lord they constructed va

crossed over to this land, <

Continent, and settled cod pecokd *. »A ad
the Lord swore in bis wreth to the brother «*
Jared, that whoso should passed this tend
of promise, from -thst_ time henceforth sai
forever, should serve hire, the tree and only
God; or tbev should be swept a f the
fulness of his wrath should earee upon Acre.
And now we can behold the decrees o. God
concerning this land, that i» is a im*d of
promise, and whatsoever cation shall pcaaess
it sliall serve God, or be swept off when the
fulness of his wrath is CTree. _

The Jaredites, according to their history
in the took of Mormon, dwelt coco this
covenant land about suaeea hundred yean-
They were shot out from the rest of the
world. And Jeremiah to *Ut their history
in the following saying, so completely, that
we need but to read in oder to Bucnlttd.

“ Arise, gel yon up ipto a wrahhy nation,
that dwelleth without care, sailh the Wj.
which have neither gates nor harsj which
dwell alone. And their camels staB he a
booty, ajgd the multitude of their cattle a
spoil; and I will scatter into all winds the™
that are in the uim-st cmasr, and I wiu
brhg their calamities from all sides there©,
saith the Lord.”— Jer. 49: 31. 32. In pro-
cess of so many centuries the Jeredhes,rcC-
withstanding the mighty faith and tottness
of their forefathers and fcssndent were over-
thrown and their calamities truly “cam©
from all sides.” Their cop of ioiqsity as a
nation and as individuals, had became fell.
They fell and parsed away, about si* hund-
red years before the Cl ri-tain Era, abed the
time that Jeremiah uttered the afcore proph-
esy. But as ttoir record ca twedy-four
large golden plates has been preserved, and
will at no far distant day to taken from its
long concealment in the hill Cantorab, and
translated and published foe tbe toned of
the church of Christ, we will leave them
and their hislsry for the present.

About the same time, yurt prenacs to the
Babylonish captivity, in the timed Jeremi-
ah, there dwelt at Jerusalem a prophet whose
name was Lehi. He wa* of the Lineage
of Manaeseh, the toe of Joseph, the Cover-

Lin

OP LIBERT r.

■or'of Egypt, who saved the poster i ty «f
Israel from famine. Lehi was shown she
calamity of the Jews coming upon them, by
the band of Nebuchadnezzar, and he seas
commanded to flee. He fled into the wild-
erness and took another family with brs
who was descended from Ephraim, the sec-
ond son of Joseph; and be took also the eld
Jewish record, containing a history from the
beginning on brass plates — which are also
now preserved in Camera h.

It would be very natural to coodnde that
if so noted a prophet as the book of Hanoi
makes Lehi, together with another family,
had left Jerusalem or the land of Canaan,
on so important an errand as that of te-peo-
pleing the New World, during the active
ministry of Jeremiah, that he would have
said something of th“ir departure. “More-
over the word of the Lord came to Jeremi-
ah, saying, considered thou not what this
people have spoken, savins'. The two rxs-
tuBs which the Lord hath chosen, he hath
even cast them off.” — Jer. 33: 24. We ash j
what would be more natural than for that
nation and people whom Lehi had so faith-
fully warned, after he had with Ishmael and
their families departed into the wilderness,
to rise up and say, the Lord hath even cast
them off !

Whiie in the wilderness, Lehi received
this promiso from God, “ And in as mochas
ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall
prosper, and shall be led to a land of prom-
ise; yea, a land which is choice above all
ether lands.” That colony of two families
traveled until they reached the great waters.
There, by the direction of the Lord, they
constructed a vessel, entered it, and were
guiJed to our American land ; to them a
covenant land; which they re-peopled with
their descendants. But in process of time
they divided, and became Laraanites and
Nephitcs. Yet having the Jewish record
on brass plates, the Nephies keat up to
some extent the Jewish religion. The oth-
er party soon became barberous and wild,
and lived to a great extent by hunting and
Ashing, and war. The Lamanites were the
forefather i of our American Indians.

The book of Mormon contains a history
and record of the Nephi.es, especially of
their religion, and many of the prophecies 1
of the holy prophets who lived among tb<m
on this covenant land, whilst they followed
the way of holiness. But when they for-
sook the Lord, and ran into wiekedoess un-
til their cup of. iniquity was full, then they
like the Jaredites had their “calamities come j
from all sides,” until they were destroyed.
The Nephites entire overthrow happened

about 420 years after the c ..icement of
the Christian Era.

The Bible contains the covenants aiid
promises of the Lord .relative to the old
world, and the gospel preached there by
Jesus and his twelve whom he chose there.
The book of Mormon contains the covenants
of God concerning this raw world, and
the gospel preached on this land by the Sa-
vior. After he visited his Father in heavon
he then descended among the people of
Nephi on this land, that he might do as he
said in John 10:16. “And other sheep I have
which are not of this fold; them also I must
bring, and they shall hear my voice; and
there shall be one fold and one Shepherd.”
The Nephites being of the seed of Abra-
ham, were his sheep because of- the cove-
nant. Therefore ho personally visited then
that they might hear his voice. He chose
twelve apostles among them, and gave them
power to minister in his name in all the laud.
So that Phul’s saying might be literally
true — “Their sound went into all the earth,
and their words unto the ends of the world.”
Rom. 10: 18. “And which was preached
to fevery creature which is under heaven;
whereof I Paul am made a minister. — Col.
1 : 23. Without the Gospel was preachod
in America, we say that Paul's words can-
not be true; and if preached, the book of
Mermen is verily true.

The church of Christ, which was organ-
ized in 1830, consequent upon the coming
forth of the book of Mormon, was estab-
lished and subsequently all her branches
were built up in the belief that the Lord
would in this generation fulfill all his cove-
nants to all the house of Israel, in gather-
ing them togethar upon their consecrated
lands. That the Lord would “set up an
ENSIGN for the nations, and assemble tho
outcasts of Israel, and gather together the
dispersed of Judah from the four wings of
the earth." — Isa. 11 : 12. Yes, they believ-
ed, nnd we now most firmly believe that
Ezekiel’s words will be literally fulfilled in
this age, “Thus saith the Lord God, behold
I will take the children of Israel from among
the heathen whither thoy be gone, nnd will
gather them on every side, and bring them
into their own land.” — Ezek. 37 : 21. Yes,
the chosen seed must gather from all their
dispersions, from oil countries and climes
baok to the Lord’s covenant lands which he
gave to Abraham and Lehi, and that too.
before the “ Second Advent,” or otherwise
the word of God which “endurcth forever,”
must fail. All the calculations of the MiP
leritcs aqjl Adventists’ hearts failing them
for fear, and for looking after those things.

THE ENSIGN

ed until the end coin*) when the cfirth shall
pass away.” v

The old and the new world, according M
the old and the new rttxwdn— the Bible, and
the book of Mormon, both contaib covenants
of promised lands; dedicated to God for the
gathering together of Israel, and of a rem-
nant of Joseph. On these lands God de-
signs to beautify the habitation of his chil-
dren with holy cities, Jerusalem of old, and
the New Jerusalem. And the great work
of the gathering to prepare to baild these
cities must commence among the Gentiles.
They must rise up by faith in Christ, ami
obedience to his laws, and have the cove-'
nants af God renewed. And then the mes-
sengers of Ephraim among then must "push
the people together to the ends of the earth.”
And then the end will comp. " when all the
saints shall dwell with God.” Amen.

which are coming on the earth, to the con-
trary notwithstanding. That this la the
rime, the day, the generation, the age looked
Cir br all the bole prophets since the World
hcg»» ia which to make preparation for
(Mi wrath to he poured out upon the na-
tions of the ungodly, for Israel to be gath-
ured boom, for the son of God to come, and
for the commencement of the great Millen-
nial rest of one thousand years to all the
righteous of ail the generations since the
aoraof creation.

During that glorious reign of rest, that
great city, the holy Jerusalem of old, will
be budded on that land covenanted to Abra-
ham, and the Lord God Almighty, and the
Lamb will finally be the temple of it. And
the galea of it will not be shut at all by day,
tor there shall be nq nigh^thera, And they
shall bring the glory arid ifie honor of the
nations into it. And the name of the city ' .

f To tha i da , V ^ “ Th l> Lo>d u lher ''’ ! THE SUCCESSOR OF JOSEPH.

B*it the Lord has prepared another cove- 1
nant land, and given us a record of the j THE SEER,

contract and promises in the book of Mor- '

[covtimed.]

The duty of the President of the high
priesthood is to preside over the whole
church, and to be like unto Moses. Behold
here is wisdom — yea, to be a Seer, a Rev—
lator, a Translator, and a Prophet: having
all the gifts of God which he bestows upon
the head of the church.”

Since the publication of the first Evston
of Libertt. enquiries have multiplied-upon
ter the waters of the tlood had receded from ! our hands to know the whys and wherefores
ofl the face of this land, it became a choice i upon this subject of the Successor. Since
land above all other lands, a chosen land of j then, too, we have listened to a number of
tie I.orJ; wheretore the Lord would have wmld-be-prophcts for hours upon hours, eo-
that all men should serve him, who dwell j deavoring to show the fallacy of our present
u>ki the face thereof : and that it was the ! position in upholding David Whitmer as the
place of the New Jerusalem, which should first president of the church of Christ. Wo
cane down out ol' heaven, and the holy 1 have heard John E, Page, George M. Hin-
sa actuary of the Lord. Behold, Ether saw j kle, Samuel James, and J. J. Strang, when
the days of Christ, and he spake concerning j dwelling upon this subject, rage and team
the house of Israel, and the Jerusalem from 1 more like mad-men than sage Christian
whence Lehi should come, after it should : ministers. They acted as though thev felt
bo destroyed, it should be built up again aj that their craft — their whole systems were
I»oly city unto the Lord: wherefore it could ; in danger. They even condescended to
not be a New Jerusalem, for it bad been in 1 mean, low personal abuses of David, bo-
a rime of old, but it should be built up again, 1 cause forsooth the heavens had considered
and become a holy city of the Lord; and it j liimtworthy: that is, that he had all the gifts
should be built up unto the house of Israel; land callings of that sacred office: consr-
aad that a New Jerusalem should be built j qucntly was called, appointed, ordained, and
up upon this land, unto a remnant of the j charged in the midst of *11 the authorities,
seed of Joseph. The Lord brought a rem- 1 of Zion, in July, 1834, with all the duties
nant of the seed of Joseph out of the land and responsibilities of the highest office in
of Jerusalem, and they shall build upa holy : the gift of God to man. Because those "false
city unto the tard, like unto the Jerusalem i prophets" those “wolves in sheep’s cloth-
of old; and they shall do more be confound- ing,” saw but to plainly that their own e«6-

And on this land during the reign of
peace, will be built the holy city, New Jeru-
salem, which will also be prepared as a bride
adorned for her husband. Ether, a prophet
«>f God, lived among the Jaredites, who came
Ire® the Tower, and prophesied to them of
all thiugs from the beginning of man. And
this being the laud on which the New Jeru-
salem should be built, we should expect to
hear him speak something about so impor-
tant a matter. In chap. 6, he says, and af-

TT

OF LIBERTY,

kottsti which they had reared up for them-
selves to play with, must fall when only
touched by the wand of Pavid's authority.

Hence we have nbt only examined and
published the evidences of our own position
upon this subject, but wo have also heard
objectors — heard what our enemies could

* * a r .1 t f ,1 1 a

fants in Israel hr forty years, wide
was unknown hr far* to them, aad yet h»

was the chosen ofGpd. »
himself, hot was i t j w ii .
too, that cighty-tire*
selves

! whom we would

sar. And now, for tbe sake of the honest in | latter day Deads— rose op in Far West-
heart. we have a -few more things to say upon ; Caldwell county, Mo- :■ 1S3$. and smaght
this subject, so that the humble saints of the : the life of David, and ease him out from
Jsjrd mav be fed with truth, the assuming , among them — tim*

had appointed. Win the

hrought low, and the great cause of Christ
advanced, ’J'ho first query is, why has not
David come forward ere this and claimed his
place, and issued a proclamation to all the
saints in all the world, toadvisc them of his
appointment? We answer, that David was

imrGtd

caliei Mo-
ses the second time, be said to hits, %(*>,
return, into Egypt; hr all the mea are dead,
which sought thy life-' We wraM ask
where are the iatdr of that boastful eimren
who thus persecuted Bed. the Lori seho-

not appointed in a corner, or in some secret jsen? At our last June crafeieoce the Lord
conclave, hut in the midst of a general as- j said to me as to .tan «< old, “-Arose and
sembl v in the Ia»d of Zion. He was or- ’ go and visit the Land’s Seer, eveathy brother
dained President of the church of Christ, 1 David iu mount ZatmT Ira no* &o6e-
but not of the people of the Latter Day j dieni unto the heavenly tissashm, bat went
Haints, Apd at any moment from that day : and reached his residence no the -tch day of
to this that lie would ha,ye consented by vir- | September, 1317. And cm th* next evening
tue of his office to preside i n or among that when we had avured to s bndr spot, he re-
people, that moment ho would have been : hearsed to me the wwnfc of the Lord ti>
under transgression. We want it distinctly ' him, - ’ as Moses fid to Aam-o, which he has!
understood That we do not claim that he is : received since I had pawed with him in
President in or over any party, branch or j 1839.

faction of Latter Day Saintism whatever, — , But another syoerr is, why SI David

Therefore the claimants of power among ■ Whitmcr remain wili the chusvh of Latter
them need have no fears that he will ever ■ [> a y Saints from 1334 oaflil 1833, without
trv to supplant any of them. He is only j raising his standard of aamarority. ami pro-.
President in and over the true church of '.claiming againstihe osstmers! \Ve answer
Christ, organized on the filh day of April, j that it was becrusocf his ho*»?t8y, h£s integ-
1S30, and which fell in i834, but which has | r j IV , an( j bis determined cppbsithta to their
been re-organized again the “second time' - j wicked course, that be uc fcis friends wore
in 18-17. During Moses 1 rcsidonce at the ; ; a med oat from ainraig thews. Bit wea-fc
court of Egypt, when he was forty years of ! j n turn, why did nd! David of M, after- he.
pge, the Lixrd called him and made known to | haJ been nncoin'ed king ctf Israel, m Sam's
him that he was Israel’s Deliverer. And , stead, under the- fcatuiis ctf SammelL the- Luru’s
willing to obey bis call, he went and | re- Seer, immediately claim the crew a. an!
si-ntcJ himself before, the oppressed, “ For ■ burl Saul from his pSnre of power, ami then
lie supposed that his brethren would have j reign — im-nediuely *csga wee fees subjects *
understood how that God by his hand would I Why did be aiwmrands go aato tin? house of
deliver them: but they understood not.'’ — ; Said and play norm his musical fcsstrmner.ts
Instead of receiving him they rose up and ; to drive away t-herril statits fan Sin:’ —
sought his life, lie Ged to Midian and re- j ^ C( J »)ter Said cast hisnort. ses-fcircr he? life,
mained forty years until all those men were j w hy did he winder miay yeans until Saul's
dead who sought his life; and then hp re- {death? Yes. and for a whsifr hr went ar.ii
tarned at the “set time” of the Lord and fa- | resided in Ziklag amacg the Phitfetuns, I-
vor.u Israel by leading them out of bondage, ! rae l : s greatest enrmie*. ana when they were
Bat before Moses started from Uoreb to re- j „bont to go to war aguinsa Israels Bud ut-
deem Israel, the Lord called unto Aaron and j k> re d to go with litem. He waked until the
said, ; -Go into the wilderness to meet Moses, tidings of Saers death, sal «a£i! the- Lonl
and he went and met him in /Ae mum/ of Cod . j S aid to him “Go op catoo Hebcwa." -And

And Moses told Aaron nil the words of the
Lord who had sent him.”

Let all those who complain of the few
years of David's seclusion, think of the
irtpAsluyg, the pil?, W* U'c slaving of -n-

fhemen of Judah camp, and Shew t&eyac-
nointed David King over the hraae ot Ju-
dah”— J/ Sami 2; 4. Asad «fer seven
years “Ail the elder . ctf Israel came to the
King in Uebrcn,ni»d they ausmtiaettl Ba,vi4

King over all II Sami. 6: 3.—

Thus we may see the dealings of God in
those days. And if we trace the history of
Joseph and David in these days, we shall lind
as strange things. And we will find some
peculiar similarities between times of old and
our times.

David of old was annointed king over all
Israel including Judah, when he was only a
lad, by Samuel the Prophet. Thereafter he
lived with Saul many years, fought his bat-
t’-es, upheld his government, sought to drive
away the evil spirits front him, and would
not leave him until Saul rose up, and because
of his jealousy sought his life; then he fled
from his rage and lived in Ziklag among Is-
rael’s greatest enemies until the Lord said
to him, “Go up.” David Whinner was ap-
pointed and ordained to be the first President
of the church of Christ in the land of Zion
in 1834, but his life .was sought in Far
West iu 1838, and he lied from his persecu-
tors and settled in Richmond, Mo., the very
place selected by the Executive of Mo. as
the bead quarters of all those forces which
were brought into the field to act against
those Latter Day Demons who had risen up i
in their IJanite fury, and hurled defiance at
all the laws of both God and man, under
which they lived, in driviug front tlieir
tnidst the Prophets of God. After Saul’s
death, when the time had come, the men of
Judah gathered around David and re-an-
nointed him king over them. In 18-17, at
the “set time of the Lord,” the Elders of the
church of Christ in the land of Zion gath-
ered around David and re-ordained him
Prophet, Seer, Revelator, and Translator; to
stand at the head of the church of the Lamb
of God on earth.

Rut still another query is, why have you
not thought of these things before? We
nnstver that the Lord has lately answered
that question himself, through his Successor
to the prophetic office, thus — “Verily, ver-
ily thus tail It the Lord * • It was for
my purpose, yea, even for a wise purpose,
that the world and my church should net
knoic, speaking after yottr manner of. lan-
guage: for my church for a time did not
dwell on earth, speaking of the righteous^
ness of the church of Christ.” Wc ore
willing to confess that these matters had
.passed Irom our minds until the last day of
November, 1846, our recollections \vrre
roused up by the visitation of holy mest^n-
" er8 standing in our presence, and causing
us to understand great and marvelous thing’s.
Since which tirtie we have nndeviatittgly
pursued our instructions, at the hazard of
trouble, at the aacrificeof our time and our

dollars, and receiving the abuse* bf the va-
various leaders of parties an# factions of
Latter Day Saintism; but thus far since that
day the ball has continued to increase as it
has rolled. And now having watched and
nourished this cause in which we are en-
gaged from its beginning, permit us to say
that it is destined to continue to increase more
and yet more until finally “iu God we shall
triumph,” to the perfect confusion and con-
sternation of our enemies— hud to the per-
fect joy and redemption of all the righteous in
all the worlds of God’s vast creations.—
Then, now with boldness, with firmness,
and in love, we cheerfully invite the honest
in heart in all the world who have their
eyes fixed upon “the work of the last days,”
to come and unite with us and assist us to
here build up our Redeemer's cause, and
prepare “his Bride” for his»recep;ion, when
lie shall come to make up his jewels — for his
coming will he in this generation.

The church of Christ has now at its head
a Presidency of known and acknowledged
honesty, firmness, integrity, love of truth,
holiness, and virtue, and simplicity of man-
ners. Those who are not desirous of vain
glory, but who esteem others better than
themselves. Those in whose hearts, under
the most Irving circumstances, truth and
righteousness have dwelt. Those in whem
all the saints of the Lord in all the world cau
place the most implicit confidence. David
is not as Hinkle called him, “A little igno-
rant Dutchman.'’ Noryetishea "Puppet.”
ns was declared by Strang. Rut David is
the man whom the Lord chose through Jo-
seph “to stand in his stead,” in preference
to all other men in the church — yes, to all
other men in nil the world. He is the ono
whom the Lord "has planted in Joseph’s
room,” in the true church of Christ.

And now, if ever auv Lattei Day Saint or
Saints, acknowledge the Presidency of Da-
vid, they will drop the name, the nature and
the peculiarities of that dark and infamous
ism which has been fraught from its very
birth with so many evil consequences; and
they will rejoice in the privilege of being
horn by baptism and confirmation Into tho
church over which he now presides. They
will have to lay aside all “seducing spirits,
and doctrines of Devils,” and practice only
virtue and holiness ie the fear of the Lord.
They will have to realize that the leaders
of all the carries of letter Day Saints ‘‘are
blind guides, loading the blind to destruc-
tion.” Insteadof runningoff w ith the “holv
priesthood” to the wilderness, or of holding
i's greatness in Voree; they arc “teachers
heaped up to themselves, who teach for doc-

OF LIBBRTT.

79

trines the commandme nt? of acd arc I Christ, and perhaps by a pretence profess to

reall; turned unto fables. Again are nrjf» — sy s in fafal works in bis name; in-
wo! is the doom of Latter Dry Ssisess in ; stead of coming out and denying that Jesus
ul) its parties and faction?” ! had rarer in the flesh — thus they will act in

We want our friends to read in the KhSe ' order the more fully to deceive God’s chi!-
those circum'-iaeccs reistue to Moses and ires. O that the saints would understand
to David of old, then rad the £r*t cf this their privilege to try spirits — all spirits
article in our 3d K(k, ctd then after rearing which come before them ! When they have
this, if honest in bean, thee- triads will he been through the smut mill as much as soiro
ma-Je up in favor of truth, and it does scene at as in Voice, they will esteem this a great
to us that they will take bold wch es tr> ' privilege. They will seek so to live that
build the Redeemer’s kingdom, in order that . they may fatow what manner of spirit men
he may come and put and end to strife and are Cl who present themselves claiming to
all the wickedness of this earth fcr one tbac- j he the shepherds of God" s flock,
sand years. f It is a general time of health in this re-

jgiow of country, and

VOREE, DrcraUr I Si, 1S47.
Dr. E. W. McLelu.% —

particularly^- in the
There has not been (I believe) a
single in?:ar ce where ary member of
this branch of the body of Christ, hae been
Dear Brother; 1 received your letter a attacked with any disease, ‘since it was or-
few days ago, and was highly gretlfed, Its swatted, but what the disease has been re-
gctiier with all the brethren and sisters in baked in the name of Je-cs Christ, and the
and about Voree, to heir of yo^r welfare individual been immediate ly restored to
and the welfare of the brethrra in ait t bx. ■ health. We realize that God has greatly
We rejoiced to hear of the prosperity of the j bfesstd us in tliese things. You will re-
church in Kirlland; and we pray the Lard member that sister Smith had a fever sore
to continue to give unto his cbiiunen r;gk~_ [Q ooeof her ankles which had troubled her
intelligence, and wisdom frere «j high; that ; for a cumber of years. It is now as well as
they may knew hi? will and be prefs-red for tise other, and she can walk without incon-
tlie discharge of all duties hxvsihrct ccoa ve nkmce. This has been done by faith and
them: that we may be in readiness lie the i prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, without
time when the bursting heat oas wsE reveal tae aid of doctors or medicines. LetGod’oe
the Son of God, as he descends again to peaised.

earth, to destroy all the unfruilfa! woeis of We fete —a mretin(r? . an< i eenerc ii y
oarkne,?. and u,her tq the -rest that reread wef[ lt!emi ed! In all that there has been
to tse people o. God. dece in thechurch here, there has not been a

O gi„riou» dsy, O bkssrJ hypel -jar or a dissenting voice or spirit. That

My soul leaps forward at the though* cf spirit of peace which you brought unto us,
that glorious change, when the ini of dark- in all oar troubles, yet remains with us; for
ness will be burst usuusk ar*i ;br siloing : wuirh we all feel to thank the Lord Al-
prescnce of the ts-n o: God w ill riser arst mighty, and ask him t > bless the o.vk whom
gladden the hearts of all who truly bdear ;e he sent tors store unto its that which we had
the charA of Christ. Teen th-T will he- i lost. And ; ermit me to say we esteem it a
hold his glory, majesty and power, and see. choice treasure. We have no notion of bar-
biro as he ts without a ditnningveil between. ‘ teriug it away again for the false and dam-
Butattkct day where will the sinner and aabhTspirits with which wc arc surrounded,
the ungodly flee for refuge? In vain will Evcit member that has united with this
they call fur the rocks and the nraaiarins to branch of the chnrcb, who remain here, are
fall upon them, to cover them «i thws as Ann and unmoved as the “lasting hills.,”
screen them from the demar.i--.of jnsrice. — Strang hol ts his meetings in the school-

ln vain v.ili foirr prviirts cad ayteV.s hcmse. Bet in relation to what thev are
who are continually lying in the scssec-i about, yon can judge nearly as well as I can.
the Lord, and thus seeking -to deceive the I touch mot, taste not, row handle not any of
very elect, if k were possible. - I say it will Is things. I think two have joined him

be vain for them to say -Lori leril have sire* von left, but more have left him.

we not prophesied in toy name, and in tky Whuxe branches have left him at one blow,
name dene many wonderful trust?. - A aim her even, under his eye in Voree have

By these sayings and many cabers «f the. Wt him since voa left here in October. —
Savior’s, we learn that anti-Christ wool! j His Bishop has gone bv the board, and is
present himself in the last days in the sane I preaching Twelveiteism. Last evening I
of the Lord, and prophesy in the cares cf got the bow# of president Marks’ apoatacy

HO

THE ENSIGN

from Strengism. * - * And finally, what
few Strangite* there ate ia and about Voree,
take theta by and large, look like a poor
Uod'famkcn clan, I assure you. Since
tout discussion with Strong here, there ban
been one continued scene of confusion and,
tumult in their ranks, by night and by day, \
and I hope it will continue until their or- i
ganixation is prostrated in the dust, and all ;
those restless spirits of earth which cannot
be tamed by the sublime and peaceful gospel ;
of Christ, are gathered to their fathers and
brethren, end there confined in chains of
blackness and darkness forever. Amen to
Strangism; it is a stink in the nostrils of all
honorable men under the whole heavens.

Two have presented themselves for bap-
tism among us, whom we expect to wait
upon this week. There are many more
who arc anxiously enquiring after truth. — !
It pots me in mind of what the ancient
prophet said, “Behold 1, thcLerd, will send '
a famine in the laud, not of bread, nor a i
■hirst for water, but of hearing the words of j
the Lord." You wanted to know if I could j
travel and preach this winter. I shall not be j
able to much, but I am determined to do
what I can. Elder Rich's son Ensign j
■caches our school. This is a great touble |
to the Strangles, but the only objection to :
him is, his father is a pttudo. With senti- j
ments of gratitude and heartfelt satisfaction 1
■o Cok my Father, 1 subscribe myself your i
brother in Christ.

JAMES M. ADAMS.

P. S, Another letter from the same hand,
post-marked Feb. Sttth, lias been received. ■
and to our joy we find that the members ofj
the ehuTch *>f Christ in Voree, organized !
djrir.g our visit there last summer, orostrllj
with us in tin* faith. .Strang's publications '■
to the contrary, notwithstanding.

Euz ’ itertv Jo Da.iess Co., hi., J

January 15, 1818, j '
W. E, Mi Lf.llin:— _

Beloved brother in the Lord, with joy I.
embrace a few dotting moments to inform
you of our good health and spiritual hfcs-|
oiugs. Wc were pleased to receive your
interesting letter from Mo. It gave us all
gre at satisfaction to hear of j our prosperity
on your mission. We pray the Lord our
heavenly Father, to always continue to. pour j
out his most citoice blessings upon you, j
that you may be a terror to evil doers, and a j
blessing to all the upright in heart, Since
you planted us ia the true fold of Christ, wc
have great joy ia the gospel on meeting to-
gether, The brethren and risers qll stand

firm in the new and everlasting covenant. —
And as for me, in as much as the Lord has
required it at my hands to watch over them
as their presiding Elder, I calculate to do
whatever is enjoined upon me — trusting iu
the Lord in my weakness, 1 want to Un-
serviceable to my brethren, and a pattern of
piety before the world, Bros. Anson and
Weeks and families have moved here from
Voree, Stc. We are expecting more from
there to settle among us. If vou could only
preach here among us again, ! believe more
of our neighbors would unite will* us. We
have a great anxiety for the prosperity of
the church, and especially for those who
stand in responsible tauitions in the same. —
One tiring 1 do Know, and that is, the spread
of thegospcl must hi part be worked by
means of earthly substance.

We keep up our meetings regularly every
Sunday. Wc have not held evening prayer
meetings because we live so distant from
each other, but when we meet for evening
visits, our practice is to pray before we part;
we frequently are blessed on the occasion.
Brother Anson told us that in your debate
with .Strang, he never heard a man take
such a dressing down iis he did. I envy
him not, but I am glad that he does not
prosper in evil doing, for many might be le.l
as they were in Nauvoo M destruction, if ho
cm 11 get ti e n i ito his coils, "ins and traps.
We preut'y r< j dee in tliolih rly of the gosjx 1
of Christ which we heard from your mouth.
May we ns a Church over prove true to our
trust, and gain a full salvation in Christ.

JOHN BOICE.

LETTERS! LETTERS!! LETTERS!?

We receive some letters from our friends,
and many from enquirers, and unless the
postage is paid it makes the burthen heavy
upon us. Sonic complain that we do not
answer them; but if they would only stop
to think that when they lax both our purse
and our time they certainly would reserve
their cens'ire. We love to receive letters,
and to answer them, and will when til the
expense does not fall on us. Editor.

O'r’Our in - i Conference will be held in
Kin lend on the Dth of June next. Wc in-
vite a genera! attendance.

-Q[^“ Our next No. will be out about the
first of April.

ny* A number of letters have been crowd-
ed; out for want of roota.

THE ENSIGN OF LIBERTY,

OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.

HL L - -

uituj* liib coum, Mil, III, m Si . g .

WH.TfedS S “w°L I Si uld ,OdeVd0 P

bers — is «v«c«. “P^ality is capable ot

05 s * an letters to the Editor must be poet None are natural bom citizens of

paid, in order to insure atwntion — remem- the kingdom of heaven. All have to
ter that. be bora into it — have to be legally

~ adopted in order to enjoy communion

THE KINGDOM* HEAVEN, to S’ Id

- Wherefore we receiving a kingdom *** d,areh . of tbe «»rn'

which cannot be moved, let us havegrace „ 0SC 113,1168 316 written in heaven."
whereby we may serve God acceptably, with But 33 none.can obey the Gospel of
reverence and godly fear.”— Heb. 12: 28. adoption into the kingdom of Christ

The finger of inspiration in other wit hout officers or ministers legally
places in holy writ, calls this “The appointed to wait upon them, we shall
kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of 1,1:11 fP 63 * 1 of “the calling to the min-
God" s dear son. The kingdom of lstr J%” °f their orders and stations in
Christ, THE KINGDOM of GOD,” ^ kingdom, and of their great re-
&c. There are certain things with- i sensibilities in carrying on the oper-
out which no kingdom either earthly ations of church government for the
or heavenly, can exist. In order to salvation of men.
establish and carry on a kingdom there Without a direct revelation from
must be a king, laws, subjects or cit- heaven no man ever was called to be
izens, and orders of ministry to pub- a minister of Christ since the world
ksh and execute the laws, mandates, began. Thus men were called in the
and rules of the kingdom. These days of Enoch and Noah, of Moses
thmgs are inherent m the very nature and Peter; and thus it was in all days
and existence of a kingdom. and so it is in our dav. Enoch he-
ir the King, and great fore he was translated received thi*

Head ot his church and kingdom on testimony from heaven, “ that he
earth. He it is irom whom proceeds pleased God.” — Heb. 11:5 “Noah
t.v direct revelation, all laws and rales was a just mare and perfect in his
ot action for the regulation and gov- generations, and Noah walked with
eminent of all the children of God, God — and was warned of God of
noth ministers and members. And things net seen as yet.”— Gra 6- <>
in the character and administration and Heb. 11:7. “And the Lord’spake
of Jesus as King, all those who five unto Moses face to face, as amau
under his government, whether as speaketh unto his friend "—Ex 3311
ministers or as people, may expect The Savior said to Peter. “Flesh and
such precepts, laws, and regulations 1 blood hath not revealed it unto thee

IJI h

82 THE ENSIGN

but my Father which is in heaven.” we must find those peculiar numbers
MaL 16: 17. “Now there were in set in order, each one in its place, all
the church that was at Antioch, cer- operating and working together under
tain prophets and teachers. As they Jesus, the King, or otherwise we find
ministered to the Lord and fasted, the not the full development of that
Holv Ghost said. Separate me Barna- “kingdom which cannot be moved.”
has and Saul for the work whereunto The kingdom of heaven cannot fully
I have called them. And when they exist among men without three men
had fasted and prayed, and laid their at its head, called of God by the voice
hands on them, thev sent them away.” of revelation, and acknowledged in
Jkts 13: 1-3. “Neglect not the gift their office by the voice of the king-
that is in thee, which was given thee dom — to stand as a first presidency;
by prophecy, with the laying on of holding “ theAkeys of the kingdom.”
the hands of the presbytery.” — 1st There must be twelve men, called
Tim. 4: 14. It is then the spirit of apostles, or special witnesses, to act
prophecy which points out men to the under the direction of the three. —
ministry, and without that spirit we And again there must still be another
have no rule in the word of God by quorum or council of seventy to act
which a man ever was, or can now under the direction of the twelve, to
be pointed out to be set apart as a assist them to preadh the gospel — the
Priest or minister of Christ j law of the kingdom to all to whom

The Bible in its succinct account j they are sent in all the world. Then
does not give us the particular form j to have the whole government com-
of church government which God re- plete and operate without schism,
vealed unto Adam* to Enoch, to Noah there should be a quorum of seven
or to Abraham. It is not until the to oversee the interests of the poor
days of Moses that we have the or- until all should become of one heart
der of the government of heaven set and one mind temporally as well as
forth among men. in its specific num- spiritually.

bers, classes, ranks, grades, orders or In the days when God led Israel
quorums of ministry:— the relation from Egypt to Canaan he called and
that these quorums stand to each oth- qualified Moses, Aaron and Hur to
er, to the kingdom of Christ on earth stand before him in the first presiden-
and to the heavenly things themselves, cy. And they acted in that station
There are in the scriptures what until Israel rebelled and “the law was
we call hallowed or special numbers, added, because of unbelief.” In the
Three, seven, twelve, seventy, and days of Christ’s incarnation he called
an hundred and forty and four ate Peter, James, and John, and deliver-
some of those numbers. They are ed to them “the keys of the kiugdom
special because the Lord has been of heaven,” and thus left in their
pleased in the organization of his hands the presiding authority when
church or kingdom on earth in the , he left the world. 4 And now again in
various ages of the world, to call and j “ the dispensation of the fulness of
set apart his servants into classes, | times,” hi our own day, *the Lord has
quorums or councils of ministers of j been pleased in the beginning of this
three, seven, twelve, seventy, &c., I work to call Joseph, and Sidney, anti
in order to carry on the operations of Frederick into the first presidency of
his government among men. In the his church, and bid them organize and
days of Moses and Joshua, in the preside over ‘the church of Christ.’
days of Peter and Paul, and in thf. and offered them the privilege of
church of Christ in our own days holding “the keys” until the time of

OF LIBERTY.

hi* second coming, provided they
would abide in him. But they have
fallen, and the church is now being
reorganized under, the presidency of
David Whitmer, and his two counsel-
lors, in order to prepare it for the
“second advent” — which is soon at
hand.

The great object of Israel in the
days of Moses was to get possession
of the land of Canaan — the lot of
their inheritance. The great objectof
the apostles of Christ was to get both
Jew and Gentile to believe that Jesus
was the Christ— the Messiah — the
son ot God; and to publish his gospel
to all nations, and to build up his
church among all people. And now
the prime object of the organization
of the ministry of the church of
Christ into classes in the two Priest-
hoods in our day, is to bring about
“the times of restitution of all things,
which God hath spoken by the mouth
of all his holy prophets since the
world began.” To restore both Jew
and Gentile to the knowledge of the
true God — to the knowledge of his
true and divine government in the
orders and powers of his chosen and
faithful ministry; and thus bring in
■ the Millennial glory, and rest and '
jieace to the whole earth. i

In Israel the Lord chose twelve :
men. as apostles or special witnesses ;
to them concerning the land of Ca- 1
naan, and sent them to search it out
that they might bear witness of it— 1
•Am 13. Jesus who came to restore 1
the gospel to the world with all its :
grace and truth, chose twelve men i
to be his witnesses, his apostles, to t
bear testimony of his name, his char- i
acter, his doctrine, and his resurrec- c
tion, “in Jerusalem, in ail Judea, in j r
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part 1 1
of the earth.” And now again in c
this age when all the quorums of this I
church of the Lamb of God stand in c
their proper places there will be ajt
twelve to bear the same relation in ! i,

f his kingdom which die same council
e of men did m ancient lanes. They
? will be apostles, yes, special witness-
f es oi the work of the preparation for
- the second oomn^of Christ. Here
: let me remark that the farefce who
t have led the church of I -alter day
Saints to the wilderness of the Stony
; mountains, never were called, chosen,
i or appointed in the church of Christ"
f Consequently while they pretend to
F hold apostolic authority they are
i bound to carry out the measures of
i L. D. Sainbsn.

In the days of Israel the Lord chose
I a Seventy, .V». II, “Elders of the
i people, rulers among them,” to stand
1 with the in si presidency and “to bear
the burthen of the people,” so that
the church or kingdom thus organized
might prosper. In the meridian of
time when Jesus went about doing
good, “The Lord appointed other sev-
enty also, and sent them two and two
before his face, as Iambs among
wolves. Telling them to sav to all
people where they ministered that.
“The kingdom of God is come nig h
unto yon. The church of Christ in
order to fill the pataern given to Mo-
ses and established by^Christ must
| have a seventy- — ovr seventy and no
more, to stand with the three and the
twelve to minister righteousness^ peace
and joy in the Holy Ghost to all the
world.

Thus we find in the days of Moses
THREE, twelve, and sernthf. In
the days of Christ there were THREE
twelve, and sarernty. And now again
in thi?^ “dispensation of the fulness of
times,” there mast be THREE.
twelve, and seventy. This the three
dispensations ought to and must cor-
respond with each other in the num-
bers of their ministry, in the councils
or quorums of the church of God. —
In the government of heaven in the
councils thus organized among men
the Lord anciently met with bus ser-
vants, revealed hi will to them, talk-

84 THE ENSIGN .

ed with them face to face, and led heaven. There, they could learn how !
them,. • when they hearkened to his to use “the keys'’ which Jesus had
teachings, by the right hand of his given them to use in spreading the
power. And so will he lead and pro- gospel to all the world. There they ,
tect his servants in the w r ork of the received knowledge and qualifications
last days, just as soon as these eoun- above any others then living upon the
oils become properly organized and face of the earth. Information which
live in the spirit of their calling. really qualified them to be pillars
When the Lord began to exercise pedestals to brace and stay the whole
his government over the children of fabric of the apostolic church. Jesus-
Israel in order to lead them from E- had other apostles, but he made Pe-
gypt to Canaan he organized among ter, James and John, his presiding
them a quorum, council, or presiden- prime ministers on earth. To them
cy of THREE men. That presi- it was given power to unlock^ the
d’ency he called upon a mountain apart kingdom to Jew and Gentile. Peter
from the rest of the world, to act be- was to that age what Moses was to-
fore him in a relation to each other, the age in which he lived,
to the heavens, and to the camp of And now . when the Lord “has set
Israel, in a capacity different from all his hand again the second time, to re-
other men on earth: and that too on eover a remnant of his people,” he
One of the most extraordinary occa- has placed in his church three, as a |
sions ever recorded in any history. — first presidency, to hold the keys, in /|>
Ex. 17: 10-12. There that trio stood order to receive the word of the Lord
pleading with heaven, Moses in the from his mouth, and communicate it
centre with uplifted hands, being to the people , as in the days of Moses- |
braced by Aaron and Hur on either and of Peter. This we believe the
side; while Joshua leading the hosts Lord has done for us. He first placed
of. Israel struggled in the valley be- Joseph Smith in the centre as the
neath not only for liberty, but even Seer, but having transgressed the law
for their very existence as a nation or of his God, and fallen, God appointed
people on earth. David. Whitmer as his Successor,

When Jesus came to earth to re- through him, and now he stands to
organize his kingdom with a ministry the church of Christ in the same re- .
in their proper relations to each other, lation that Moses stood to Israel, and
to the kingdom, and to the heavens, Peter stood in his day, and as Joseph
he singled oat Peter. James and John stood to the church of Christ in its
— three men to Stand as “pillars,” to organization in 1830. Now the church
■ the centre one of whom he gave “the and kingdom will be built up unto the
keys of his kingdom.” And in order Lord as in olden times,
to qualify them to act in that impor- The council of THREE holds the
'tant relation, he invited them to go highest authority, as a quorum, which J
with him into a high mountain apart, God ever gave to men on earth. The
and there he unveiled to them his glo- men who in any age of the world are i

jy — and the beauty of the heavens, called into this first, presiding author- J

Mat, 17. He showed to them there ity among any people, as Moses, Pc-
the pattern of heavenly things. There ter, Joseph and David, and their eoun-
Peler, James, and John gazed upon sellors have been, stand in the same
the three,. Jesus, Moses, and Elias, relation to the church of God 'on
who stcod before them in their glori- earth that the Father, Son, and Holy
fied attire. ' There they could see a Spirit do to all the heavenly host. —
perfect pattern of the God-head in They are a pattern on earth of the

m

■OF LIBERTY.

God-head in heaven. The Son and
the Holy Spirit are one with the Fa-
ther in bearing record in heaven, so
two counsellors are one with the
Seer in bearing witness on earth, in
the discharge of ail their official du-
ties. The pattern is complete. The
first presidency of three in the king-
dom of God on earth is a similitude
of the THREE in the heavens, where
God sits in their centre, and in the
midst of all his glories beholding their
order and their harmony.

From my youth up 1 have heard
much speculation and reasoning about
the doctrine of the trinity — the uni-
ty, &c., of the . God-head. I have
thought and read much on the sub-
ject. and heard many comparisons
made (by the professedly learned,) in
order to elucidate that deep, that all
important doctrine. But we are free
to confess that we never saw any
thing that God had organized or made
among men, until we saw “the church
of Christ.'” organized with its quorum
or council of first presidency of three
at its head on earth, wherein “the
invisible things of him from the .cre-
ation of the world are clearly seen,
being understood by the things that
are made, even his eternal power and
Godhead; so that they are left with-
out excuse.” — Rom. 1 : 20. In view-
ing this matter we can clearly see
how this first council of three on
earth, organized or made as a pattern
of the THREE in heaven, shadows
forth “ his eternal power and God-
head, so that men are left without ex-
cuse.” And in order that Jesus might
more fully show to his three prime
ministers on earth how “the fulness
of the Godhead dwelt in him bodily,”
he took them up into an high moun-
tain apart when they saw “his glory,
and the two men who stood with him.”
Luke 9: 32. , Here in this vision three
glorified personages (Jesus in the cen-
tre) appeared standing together in the
presence of the three who were cho-

sen to hold the keys at the head of
the kingdom, organized on earth
for the salvation of men. In this
glorious vision the pattern of the God-
head was clearly seen on earth.

There are THREE who bear rec-
ord in heaven, and they are one God
or one council. There are three as
a pattern of them to bear witness on
earth, and they (in all their official
acts) agree in one. The Father is
the centre of the three in heaven,
from whom all light and intelligence
springs to all heaven and earth, and
the Seer on earth is the centre, and
with his two counsellors is the medi-
um through whom must be manifest-
ed or revealed all laws for the in-
struction, regulation and government
of his kingdom; in order that all
things may be done after the council
of God’s will, both in heaven and on
earth.

A church or people in this day,
claiming to be the Lord’s chosen ones,
who have not a quorum or council of
three (and no more, nor no less,) at
their head in their church organiza-
tion, are in the dark and their works
are in the dark — that is God does not
reveal to them for their salvation; but
they have to grope their way by the
dark councils of uninspired men, who
teach for doctrine the commandments
of men, who teach fables. They may
have cried Lord ! Lord ! ! but they did
not organize on the platform accord-
ing to the pattern which heaven bad
devised. and revealed to man in his
sacred word -as clearly as the noon-
day sunbeam. Therefore the Lord
cannot own them as his. They have
by their folly forced him to say “I
know you not” — I never revealed
myself to you, I never organized
among you that order of things call-
ed “the kingdom of heaven — which
could not be moved, and you there-
fore knew me .not, and you must stand
aside. 0 my soul ! think thou of the
various church organizations in the

88

88 THE ENSIGN ’

world, which have no similarity to based upon or having been drawn
the things in the heavens. (say they,) from the divine oracles of

If we search through all the de- God: but remember dear reader tbev
nominations of Christendom, Catho- are not the oracles themselves. Nay,
loics, Greek Church, and ail Protes- it would spoil their religions in a nao-
tantism, shall we find any or either ment, if they were to acknowledge
of them with their ministry organi- that God had directly revealed to »hem
zed into quorums of three, seven, one item in their various creeds.
twelve and seventy, except the The Catholics declare that the
“ Church of Christ?” If it were ne- Pope is the head of their orgasiza-
cessary to have that peculiar church tion; he holds the’ keys of Sl Peter,
organization in olden times “ for the yet he has not two counsellors as
perfecting of the saints, for the work Moses and Peter had. Here we can
<jf the ministry, and for the edifying see a “falling away” from three to
ol the body of Christ,” we would ask one, in the first council of the church,
can any people now in this nineteenth And in their orders of ministry fol-
ccntury place themselves under a lowing the Catholics run still wider
different form of Church government from the pattern given of the LoreL
aud yet grow into perfection? Can The head of the Greek church is the
thgy have that “ faith once delivered Patriarch of Constantinople. One
unto the saints, ’ and yet not have man, not three. The government of
that order ot ministry — not have those the church of England is Episcopal,
quorums in the Priesthood which the The King or Queen is the supreme
Lord always placed in his kingdom head. The Methodist church is gov-
tli rough whom he could “preach the erned by Bishop, and their number?
gospl with the Holy Ghost sent down are increased at pleasure by their g?r>
irom heaven, ’ and by whom he could era! conference, as there is a demand
administer “ the Law of liberty” for for their labors. But here we will
t lie government of his Church? Nay, I stop following the sects and parties
verily nay. And here we can see who claim to be Christians, for the
one great reason why the different ! further we go down among them, the
piofessedly religious denominations of darker the picture grows relative to
our day, are multiplying, or breaking church government. And it matters
to pieces and getting further and still not to us which of Their creeds is
f urther apart. It is because the Lord’s best or worst so that we cannot find
foi :n ot government has been rejected, the Lord's system among them. The
and men — -poor weak menhave sought express injunction of Heaven toMo-
out many inventions, have formed up ses was, “See that thou make all
various creeds, disciplines, and con- tilings according to the pattern show-
tossious of faith to aid«o govern what el to thee in the mount.” The Lord
they call ^ the church oi God. The has given a pattern of ministry in
Lord has left them to themselves be- 1 his word, and that people who estalv
cause they desired it, and they are lishes a “ Kingdom which cannot he
niimuig to and fro, and splits and di- moved” must do it precise! v accord-
visions and denominations are increas- j ing to that pattern, or otherwise it
mg among them. Forms of church will be shaken, moved and blown to
government are as abundant as the the four winds; when “the Lord of
sects arc, all differing the one from Hosts shall reign in Mount Zion, and
the other, each one claiming to be in Jerusalem, and before his ancients
nest, to have . been drawn up by the gloriously.”

most profound wisdom of men; all But having the precise organization.

OP LIBERTY.

p a niw i after heavenly things, gov-
ern^ by correct holy, just ana good
piMfiri an & tk?n led by the true
^parit of revidaiioa, and of all truth;
Gai being oar father, Jesus being our
brother and friend, and Angels being
«ar messengers and ministers, and
j i wy fc j t * be-.n<r ocr associates and
aayaHns, we will triumph — glori-
rwh triumph over all the powers of
darhaeas; and finally bring in the rest
« € God. and universal peace to the
whole earth.

la the organization of the kingdom
skk; men anciently they did not,
{wheat they were right before God.)
ere= oaee think of ever being gov-
erned hr any other principle than by
dared reeelktzems from God through
iw Prophet and Seer. They never
Esezzeled in conference in order to
e a&e cre eds by their own wisdom to
rswens the church of God over which
the Holr Ghost had made them over-
seers. - Xay. for that would have
been a denial of their religion — of the
ftafageacaf '-.rinetple which govern- ;
ed tbero- The principle of commun- 1
ir_g with God was the dearest one ■
rinl ever animated the bosom ot an ;
rwrt saint. Take that principle
snr ami such a being as a saint could
r»c c-cSaf. The kingdom of God does
e. -* exist iiq earth except that princi-
ple exists in it. except the spirit of rev-
dalicc has been given to organize it, to
it. and then to carry it on to
fcsse triumph. It is that principle
ptivifetre. and that only, which
Boosters in that kingdom possess
or cbcfeaass (Greet intelligence from
inwvea by the voice of God, by the
■risris of Angels, by open visions, by
rie gifts and powers of the Holy
CSwjzZ. and by and through inspired
that distinguishes it as “ the
t - j g .id . T m which cannot be moved."
\Y* wst tfeit spirit of revelation and
■' in. ' HC i OT ce- being possessed and un-
c%sai:d on earth among them, the
Lord caaU not teach, lead, guide or

direct hig people. He could not show
to them whether he loved'them, or
was displeased with them.

God is the fountain of all intelli-
gence; and it is the spirit of revela-
tion only that opens up to man the
medium to that fountain. Deny that
spirit and principle and man is in the
dark. He then is forced to grope.
his way through the world. His spir-
it is restiess. He flies to inventions,
but his wisdom is folly. His inven-
tions of creeds to govern the church
are subject to mutation, to alteration,
and to improvement. After genera-
tions will set his forms, rules and
modes of worship aside, saying, that
he lived in a darker age — and then
fonm new ones for themselves; and
divide and tear assunder those for-
merly bound together under the old
established forms. Confusion and
schisms arise — envy, jealousy and
every evil work follows. Tims the
professedly religious world are going
on and have been for centuries past,
and would be for ages to come, un-
less the Lord had been kind enough
to establish the church of Christ,
and in it to place all the quorums of
his ministry — and in it to place the
gift and the power of receiving di-
rect revelations from God. To close,
we say, the Church of Christ is the
home of the faithful, and will be “the
joy and the deliverer of the world.’’
Amen.

Voree, Wisconsin, April" 4, ’48.

Brother McLeemn, Dear Sir : —
* * * The brethren here remain
firm in the faith, and every week
convinces us still more of the course
we are pursuing being of God. And
I hope the time is soon at hand when
the cause of righteousness will spread
its benign influence over the whole
earth, that all the honest in heart
may begin to rejoice in the Holy Ore
of Israel. For myself I have no hope

86

THE ENSIGN

of any good to Israel except through
the channel to which our leyes and
hearts are now turned. I feel per-
fectly satisfied that we have our feet
planted upon the Rock— -and that we
are on the original platform upon
which God planted his Church at its
original organization in these last days.
And if we are not actuated by the
same spirit, clinging to the same prin-
ciples, and governed by the same law;
then I must confess my ignorance of
the whole principles and plan of sal-
vation. But I never have seen the
day yet that I have felt like giving
up the ship. 6

I have received and distributed
your valuable paper thus far. The
brethren here prize it very highly
and are glad to hear of the prosperitv
of our common cause. I shall use
every exertion to obtain subscribers
and to forward the dollars. But some
>'t the friends here are in straighten-
ed circumstances, having been the
rounds of Latterday Saintism. Write
to us often, we are ever glad to hear
rom Kirtland. William Marks has
left Strangism. But still Strang
seems determined to make some cam

who are in faith with him. They
own property together, work, live,
Md arc as one family. Strang is the
Prophet, beer, Rcvelator, Translator,
Patriarch, Imperial Primate, Abso-
lute Sovereign, Trustee in Trust;
and as a father among his children
he says to one do this and he doeth
it, and to another go and do that and
it is done.” *#*

itol ouW>f his ism before it is num-
bered Wfth the things that were. He
is trying to get his few followers into
the common stock operation, in which
he is to be Prophet, Bishop, and Trus-
tee in Trust. They have of course
to deed all their property to little
Jimmy on joining the association with
a covenant and deed that cannot be
broken. * * * #

As ever, your friend,

ISAAC F. SCOTT.

STANGISM IN VOREE.
JJV Cl ‘ P the fol J owil, g from a letter

S,dS ,01frie,, ‘ l<>f0 ' ,r » i " this

Voree, April 11, 1848.

has Tfi . br ? ther William that Strang
has started another scheme for all

Plum River, 111., April *18, ’40.
Dear Brother William : I have
contemplated for some months to
write to you, but circumstances have
hitherto prevented ; and even now
many things crowd into my mind
whilst I attempt to address you.
Recollections of the past scenes, the
troubles, the difficulties, perplexities,
and privations through which we have
past, in consequence of our faith in
the fulness of the gospel of Jesus
Christ; wherein you and I were par-
ticipators, and intimately connected
with the occurrences, in the early
history of the Church of Christ in
the west. I do not wish to say any
thing in relation to the apostaev of
the Church. Let it be passed in si-
lence. You know I am a lover of
truth, and as the Apostle says — “my
face is set for the defence of it.” —
However I have to plead my weak-
ness, folly and shortsightedness. But
I cannot tell where my pen would
run to if I were to give full vent to
my feelings. Dear Brother, I almost
imagine myself conversing with you
face to face as we once did in Jack-
son count)', Mo., on the great prin-
ciples of the kingdom. I intend wri-
ting to the brethren in Mo. soon. Li
l eading over some of the articles in
your paper (the Ensign,) I am made
to rejoice, yea, my soul rejoices at
the prospect of the Church being built
up once more in righteousness, hav-
ing for her Leaders men who are up-
right, men of holiness and truth. God
! Almighty bless and prosper Ilis

OP LIBERTY.

CAarc* Give grace and wisdom to a polluted, defiled authority. The Lord
me Leaders thereof, so that all things “ oe * 004 own their' acta, neither can they
may be well— and all the honest in eT « r prosper or triumph in him. But their
heart mav find salvation bv adhering • w,l ‘ be . tbat awarded to deluded enthu-

lo her principles. In relation to the !!* st V° ™. 18erable J>y pocntea, and to the
chvrrh hr,-* , - - . 10 me 80118 of perdition. But a word here about

hurch here it rejoices me to be ena- some of their present positions,
tiled to say that amity, good will, love —

and peace prevail. I was at meeting TWELVEITE L. D. SAINTISM.

nn 1-lcf Kmwlon 1 T II. 1 ® Thin MBtn ■ XT - . VII ....

was reminded of the times in Jaekson flou |! ,shed the Ip b «t a short season, before
countv Mo. ,rhe?,L A t - 1‘* tenders, the Twelve, found that to carry
untj, MO, when the church teas m out their base schemes of wickedness, they
peace. 1 must close for want of time. mus t betake themselves to the mountains of
i Business nart nmittnd r r. \ the wilderness, like the — U1

U . w 1V1 ”««*l VI UUiv. ~'~T * — vMiovatvo to me uiuuuutlim OI

(Business part omitted. Ed.) the wilderness, like the Gadiantine robbers

Y ours as ever. of old, in order . to try to hide their dark, soul-

JOHY Cl EMIXSfW damning doctrines arid practices, from the
t ™ l" WJ l. face of civilization. And if we mav credit

LATTER DAY 1- KAIAfTICVr their own testimon y in their late proclam-
1 JkK. U A1 CA1 A 1 IbM. atio.v, even the wild savagesof the forest,

We h.ve i - in their dreary retreats are at war with them.

fluin- from inTte d ^i “ 6116,3 of e ?~ Wo seem3 to ^‘ide them on all sides—

individuals in vanoos parts, with- The latest intelligence of them from a relia-

. . J, nK>nl , h i S P*®*; tbat we bave i 10 "' ble source is, that they have pitched their

or irv m 8 j* s " er th® whole at once, and show head quarters in the great valley of the rocky

, ££* the S Cm E ^ a nv°r d,ff ^ n r b6 ' mountains > Dear tbe Salt Lake. Brig-
i r • CH " ST,an<i lhe va ' ham Young, II. C. Kimball, and W Rich-

•Sotn^l^vc l^nposed'that tee'rV'T v"’ ! Srd '\ kc -> arc t0 Preside over the few who
w,Tnf k suppled that the Church here I mav be unfortunate cnbuo-h to reach the

only for a P d!y Tnd thend77~v° Uld i gr6at 835011 Cit >'* 0rs °n Hyde is appointed

il an °, tben , d ‘ e - Many predic- to remain at the Council Bluffs, and to pre-

. fa, ^ and , evl1 beart °d men, have side over the church cast of the mountain*
been thrown out against us, none of which Orson Pratt goes to England L T

warn "1^ °, r [ ulfiled - We It is hard to conceived the bi'.’tem^s of

BngUish Which fills tho mind Qf one 01 those
V hew is ^l alrtvnf nr 3 f 7“^ ° ^ Twelve > "hen bo Teaks °f a ny of

offfwm a^^rSLih n VT b r r0 K 6n ?'P lace,of their disappointment and down-
?.^ir7t ' ^ bnl, 'f h ’ or llrab of that fall, either in Far West, in Nauvoo, or in

we f r ^n ,CI0U ^ niUrd r r0US,Sm: norbave “Ill-fated Kirtland.” We can truly say

Latter DatL^mw°h * ny authon K t V be that in consequence of the withering blight
J.ntter Llaj Saints now have or ever had— of Latter Day Saintism here, the fate of

of f b r rcb ’ r fCCllV iD *P cndent Kirtland has been hard, and probably will to

ctcrvTTf ‘ partlcsofthat some extent remain so while it is cursed
Irine ^ernLenT^ 0 pn0C ' ptc ’ ,n doc ' witb the dregs of that ill-fated ism, after the
- n j i’ „£ eminent, and in practice, many effervesence has entirely escaped— that is

nrtacteVs Way ' Tbe { ma -I hold f° me gone to the mountains. If we should judge
pnncip.es in common with us, but so do all of all the Latter Day Saints, but especially

rs,? isr'i”'-

ind d ’r^7l u UDchan ? eable ’ an<1 nauseous;" and those are to bo pitfed

3 f ' d °- 3 i n 7.?° d c r wblch ls wbo have them for neighbors. We would

after ‘.tL°^ e | r ° f Jw ®P!( 0 f^ od — wblcb ls even pity the poor wandering, savage Indian
.; tbe bo >y ordCTof 2°?' Io it3 recep- tribe in their native haunts, to be cursed eL

in ihe7t n ^ y 7 6 “ t ’ ,U - b -? - V ambont y> tod ther with their principles, their practices, or
in the extent of its privileges we rejoice in their society. practices, or

'°i 0U ,r Fatbor ’. ‘continue to Twelveiteism is partly made up of plurai-

rejoice. ^ All the authority in Pnesthood ities. They hold the doctrine of a twelve -

of the Latter iw'&Tta *“* d ". isio “ s beaded bead °f their church. Thev believe
o the Latter Day Saints are now acting is in many wives and concubines. The wo-

LATTER DAY SAINTISM.

t>0

THE ENSIGN

man («*y they) is the glory of the man —
consequently the more women the more
glory. They believe in a plurality of Gods.
They teach that there is no throne, but that
there is one higher, ami a God to sit upon it
reigning under a superior. They hold that
God, in some council of past eternity, was
chosen or elected to be God by the inhabi-
tants of the spirit world, and consequently
was not only a God of choice, but a God of
chance also. And in the progress of future
eternity (they hold) that they themselves
will become Gods, and will reigu in some
heaven over some kingdom. Now to be a
Twelveite, these are only a few of the blas-
phemipus absurdities to be believed and
swallowed. And we dislike to even pen the
truth about them.

S. RIGDON’S L. D. SAINTISM.

This ism rose in Nauvoo, III., about the
same time with the former. Its infancy was
in Nauvoo, its manhood in Pittsburgh, Pa.,
and its dotage, death, and burial was in the
Cumberland valley, near Gre'encastle, Pa. —
It claimed to have established “Daniel's
Kingdom," which was never to be thrown
down. But all other governments on earth
were to be subdued, and to be thrown down,
while IT was to stand forever. But no
kingdom on earth so soon went to pieces as
the one Elder Higdon pretended to rear up,
composed of 73 men, consecrated to be
Prophets, Priests, and Kings of the most
high God. Probably not a vestige of this
would be, marvelous, wonder-working king-
dom, is now remaining on earth. We arc
aware that Sanmel James, and George M.
Hinkle, during '47, found their way from the
death-groans of Rigdonism in the valley, to
the fertile plains of Illinois, and there tried
lo resurrect and again rear up the fallen
kingdom; but a late letter from a valued
friend in that region, has this laconic saying
in relation to them: “There is nothing

more of James, and his man George — their

ism has breathed its last .” Elder

Rigdon himself has gone into retirement in
an obscure town in the Stale of N. V., prob-
ably there to remain during life. And we
don't feel the least disposition to disturb his
meditations.

J. J. STRANG’S L.vD. SAINTISM.

This ism commenced in Voree, Wiscon-
sin sometimo after the death of the Smith’s
in Carthage jail. Strang’s claims are ex-
travagant. He professes to be the Leader
of all the Latter Day Saints in all the world. I
He lias been figuring some three or four

years as a professed Successor of Joseph
Smith, in the Prophetic office. Had he been
legally appointed to some high station, as ho
has been trying to make people believe,
there are now indisputable evidences of his
being a false prophet. His receiving into
his fellowship, and placing in high authority
such men as Wm. Smith, Dr. John C. Ben-
net, and G. J. Adams, sickened a great ma-
ny who at first favored his pretensions. —
But his introduction and organization of a
secret society in Voree, with horrid, Gadian-
tinc oaths and impious imprecations, and
then lancing the arms of the initiated, and
making them, with their own blood, sign a
hidden or private Covenant under the garb
of furthering the cause of religion, was one
of the most barefacedly wicked transactions
that ever a set of men were guilty of since
the world began. This he, and his Master
of Ceremonies, Dr. Bennet, performed, as
numerous, witnesses have testified.

The above was only equalled in darkness
of intent, by their attempt at an endowment
or illumination of some of his faithful ones.

I received the detail from one whom he had
appointed to be an Apostle. He and his
Coadjutor and Pontiff, Dr. Bennet, mixed
some phosphorus with oil, and then assem-
bled those to be endowed or illuminated, in
a dark, damp underground room in the
Prophet’s house in the fore part of the night.
Thence they were called, one at a time, up
a narrow stair-way into the room above,
where those two impious wretches saturated
the hair of their heads fully with the above
phosphoric mixture, and then sent them
back into the dark room below, where their
hair would appear in the dark as if all on
fire. Thus they continued until some dozen
were well greased. This performance they
endeavored to palm off upon the illiterate as
a mighty outpouring of the spirit of God —
as lire and the Holy Ghost from heaven.

When 1 visited Voree last summer, he
that was Strang’s Bishop at the time of his
illumination, had bolted from him, and he
kept on hand a small bottle of the Jicry mix-
ture, and offered to illumine any one’s head
who would submit to the operation, in order
to show the abominable trickery of the little
Lawyer Prophet of Voree, and his man
John — the Master of ceremonies. Dark
must be that intellect, degraded and sunken
must be all those moral powers, and dishon-
est, deceitful, and hypocritical that heart,
which after such scenes could yet believe
that the inspiration of the Almighty attends
such a man as J. J. Strang.

But again in his little, puny official organ
published at Voree, the seat of his domiu-

OF LIBERTY. 9L

ions, he has come out and flatly denied the informed, he intends to visit Kinland within
divinity of Christ, the Savior, and strenously a few weeks to try his fortune at kingdom-
orgues that Jesus was the legitimate son of making, and if he does so, as this is our res-
Joseph and Mary. I look upon Strang as idence, we shall try to narrowly watch the
being a kind of third-rate infidel, an unbe- signs of the times.

Hover in all divine revelation. One who We will here take occasion to state, un-
fears not God nor regards man. Heiscapa- hesitatingly and pointedly, that we da not
ble of condescending to the most little, mean believe in nor look for that temporal king-
ed vile abuse of Jhose who are opposed to dom to be fully set up, organized, and estab-
his course, of any man with whom we havo lished, until Jesus Christ makes his personal
formed any acquaintance for many years— appearance on earth, and “reigns over it as
Jn his little sheet he publishes tho most false King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.” All
and exaggerated accounts about Voree, the dreamy visions of splendor, glory, and"'
about the numbers who adhere to him, and grandeur in an earthly kingdom to be estab-
about the accessions to his ranks, and also lished by the Twelveites in the greatBasin
about their present and future prospects. — in the wilderness, by Rigdon in the Cum-
Truly, J. J. Strang is a false Prophet, and berland valley, Pa., by Strang in Voree,
base hearted man, whose great aim is to de- Wis., or on the Beaver’s isle in lake Michi-
stroy others in order to build himself up. — gan, or by Brewster in east California, arc
But wo! thrice wo! willbehisdoomintheend. to us nothing but wild imaginations ofhal-
' — lucinatcd brains. The Kingdom of Christ

J. C. BREWSTER’S ISM. is at present a spiritual kingdom, and will

This young # man is now trying to remain so until the morn of his descent from
play his part in the great drama of isms heaven, when he will be crowned King on
growing out of, or from among the Latter cart h> and he will then reign and rule over
I). Saints. He claims a great gift of inspi- the whole earth lor one thousand years with
ration, and has been professing to translate a **°d °f *ron — which is the Mford of God.
front some lost books or manuscripts of Es- The church and kingdom of Christ, until
dras, and other old prophets. I now have in that period, will be built up, and operate,
my possession some hundred pages of his and be protected by the laws of earthly gov-
works. He lives and basthem printed in ernments already established, or which will
Springfield, 111. If I am rightly informed, j?e hereafter established by political men. —
he distributes his publications gratuitously, “ does ) 10t how nor never will crown any
although in quite low circumstances. He man as Hs king, nor seek earthly dominion
says all the gatherings preached by Joseph ur grandeur. The kingdom is now exclu-
Smith and those with him were fulso. And s >ycly spiritual, but when Jesus comes, it
that God has sent him with authority to w ’4 *Hen bo both spiritual and temporal so
gather all the righteous and establish them blended together as to give to all and every
together in a temporal kingdom in Califor- ?ne who lives, perfeej peace and everlasting
nia. The center of tho land of Zion, he j°y, until Satan is again “loosed fora little
says, is not upper Mo., but is in east Calilor- seas on. ’ Ed.

nia, where the kingdom spoken of by Daniel

will be reared up and established; into which IMPORTANT LETTERS.

the righteous among all nations shall flow

and find continued peace. California, the From Oliver Cowderi/ to David Wliitmer .
land of cast California is Brewster’s El Do- _1

rado. But as might be expected from this Elkhorn, Walworth Co., Wisconsin, )
champion of the Big kingdom “over which July 28, 1847. (

the power3ofthis world will never bo able to Brother David: Our mutual’ friend and
prevail,” he himself is to be tho head and former co-laborer, Elder MeLellin, called on
front in its organization. He is to divide me a day or two since, informing me at the
the inheritances of the saints and to give to same time, that he was, or is now, on his
tho kingdom its laws. way to Missouri, mainly for the purpose of

Poor man! his youthful days are spent in visiting yourself. That is, that such was
vanity, and if he livos to old age, his decli- his ostensible object in now visiting the west,
ning years, (unless he repent and turn away We have had a lengthy conversation ex-
front his folly,) will be vexation of spirit— clusively and disconnectedly upon the sub-
Between this and the 27th of Juno next, (he ject of the religion we believe, and matters
Bays) “the establishment of the church and things connected with the upbuilding
anew will take place.” He has no church our Redeemer’s kingdom here on earth. As
establishment a3 yet, but if wo are correctly he is to visit you, it is not needful that X

A

92 THE ENSIGN

should trouble you with & recital of his la- men. If ever the church rises again in '
bors for the last year or so. I will howev- true holiness, it must arise in a measure
er say, that so far as I understand his labor, upon our testimony, and upon our characters
it has simply been directed to one great ob- as good men. 'Such being the case, it is or
jcct — to wit: in preparing, or endeavoring was necessary before that time, that some
to prepare the way for the old ship to un- one should step forward— capable and wor-
hitch her cables and again sail forth. There thy, who knew us well, and whose heart the
is no doubt in either of our minds I appre- Lord should or has touched, whose duty and
bend, as to the fact that she has been “lying office should be to vindicate our characters,
to,” for some time past, either for the want and disabuse the minds of the honest of
of pilots or hands to work her. Let me those prejudices which they do and would
speak plainly.. The Lord, as you well know, otherwise labor under. All this must be
confirmed the holy priesthood upon certain done without solicitation on our part. And
men, (among that number yourself is in- it is expedient it should be done by one who
eluded,) who went out to teach repentance has known us from the beginning,
and organize a church. At the head of that Now whether the Lorid will call us again
body Joseph amith was placed. publicly or not to work in his great cause, is

Now it is not necessary that I should oc- not known to me; nor does it particularly
cupy time in detailing what was dona cor- matter: for when once the imputation is
roctly or incorrectly; suffice it to say that wiped away’ our names will shine in his ho-
bv-and-by, yourself with many others were ly kingdom on earth, when that kingdom is
..found wandering about in the world, despis- once built up— whether we live to see it or
od by the world, and libelled by those for not. On this great subject I want to see
whom life had been periled. The church you much. True it is that our right gives
claiming to be the chosen of God was driv- us the hbad. It is no matter of pride with
cn from their own possessions, and in pro- me, but an anxious desire to do all that the
cess of time, Joseph Smith was meanly and Lord may require of us. We may not live
unlawfully murdered 1 Then came a trying to see the day, but tee have the authority,
time for the existence of that boastful church and do hold the keys. It is important,
and then followed and is yet following a should we not be permitted to act in that
lime or season of strife, to see who is to be authority, that we confer them upon some
called the head. Rigdon succeeded in gath- man or men, whom God may appoint, that
oring around him a large number of persons, this priesthood be not taken again from the
But he has had his day. He has tried, as earth till the earth be sanctified. I want to
try he must, to be the great man. Strang see you much on this great matter,
has raised his standard, and cried “Lo here.” That our brother William has been direc-
The twelve have perhaps not as a matter of ted and influenced in what he has been doing
choice at first, but of necessity taken such by the Holy Spirit, I need not say to you 1
ns would adhere to them and fled to the fully believe. I do not say that every thing
western slope of our continent- I do not ho has done has been done by inspiration —
say that it were necessary that those men it would be strange if it were so. But that
should all try to be great, and occupy the God has touched his heart, that he might
place of Joseph Smith; but I do say, that begin to prepare the way, I have no doubt,
for any one who could accomplish that great In thus doing he has done well, and he will
work, to wit, lead the church, to have under- in no wise lose his reward,
taken to have done so, he would only have As to the time, I will further add that
made “confusion worse confounded.” In those men of whom I spoke must have time
consequence of transgression, we have fall- to develop to their followers that the Lord
en back a series of years. Men’s minds has not chosen them for that purpose or
have become so confused, that they must work. Whether this will take many or few
have time to see for themselves that those years, I am not now advised. But this much
individuals have not the authority, conse- I do know, when the time fully comes we
f quently not the powkr. shall know it. I have sought dilligently to

Now brother David, as to the time — a know- and feel well assured of what I say.
change of circumstances with Moses work- You will talk this mattdr all over, and make
cd a delay of forty years to the children of all necessary enquiry, and I will only say
Israel in their coming out of Egypt. So it that when the time comes, I am keadt ! But
may be in our day. But be the time longer I am not persuaded that it has yet fully
or shorter, there is one thing certain— Our come. Let the Lord vindicate our charac-
characters have been vitlifled. This villify- ters, and cause our testimony to shine, and
irg has had its effects upon the minds of then will men be saved in his kingdom.—

OF LIBERTY.

93

The God of peace and of glory be withryou
brother David, and cause his face to shine
upon you continually. Amen. Lay your
hands upon brother William, that he may
be patient and steadfast. Let us hear from
you often, and do come and see us if you
can. Our love to all our relatives, father,
mother, and all.

As ever your brother,

OLIVER COWDERY.

Answer.

Far West, Mo. Sept. 8, 3847.

Dear brother Oliver: — I write in answer
to your last. We have held a council in
Caldwell county, at brother John’s. For
particulars I refer you to bro. W. E. Mc-
Leilin, after which you will be able to form
ideas that will be of servico to you, in your
fntitre time.

Now I say it is your duly to prepare so
fast as God will open the way before you to
cut loose from the world — and lay hold of
the work of God, and assist in building up
the church, even the chnrch'of Christ. I
would give you a detail of the whole matter
hut have only time to say that we have es-
tablished, or commenced to establish the
church of Christ again, by laying aside our
dead works, and being re-ordained to our
former offices of President and Counsellor,
as formerly — and it is the will of God that
you be one of my counsellors in the presi-
dency of the church. Jacob and Hiram
have been ordained High Priests, and W.
E. McLellin President, to stand in relation
to me as you stood to Joseph, &.c. See. 'Now
you behold that the time has come, to clear
away the old rubbish, and build again those
principles which constitute the church of
Christ. Brother McLellin has still to con-
tinue his work in exposing the man of sin,
Uc. See.

I am you brother in the new Covenant,
DAVID WHITMER.

Hiram Page to Leonard Rich.

Ray Co., Mo., Sept. 24, 1847.

Brother Leonard Rich : — Knowing the
great anxiety of the brethren in Kirtlund to
hear how brother William was received in
Missouri, I will give you a short sketch of
what passed. Brother McLellin arrived at
Richmond ou the 4th day of September, and
on the 6th he in company with brothers Da-
vid and Jacob came to my house, and we all
went to brother John’s. There we spent
two days in council, and received the word

of the Lord, &c. Baptism was attended to,
and other necessary duties. In the revela-
tions you will see that the Lord has raised
up brother William for this very purpose,
and has led him about from place to place to
prepare him for the great work which is
just before him. What he has done in the
church of Christ is acceptable to the Lord,
as is manifest through the revelations given
in council.

Brother William was ordained a President
to build up the church of Christ in Kirtland,
fee. His duty is pointed out in those reve-
lations, and he will need the support of all
the brethren to assist him in the work which
the Lord has enjoined upon him: and if ho
is humble the Lord will hold him up, and
hold him in his own hands.

On the 17th day of September he left for
Jackson county, — from there he was intend-
ing to wend his way back to Kirtland. —
When he reaches home he can tell you
more than I can write. There is one re-
quest I have to make, and that is, “ watch
over each other for good,” and if the enemy
assails, leave not one to combat the enemy
alone. Give my respects to all enquiring
friends, and in particular to brother Martin
Harris, and I will remain as ever your af-
fectionate brother in the New Covenant,
HIRAM PAGE.

Cleveland, Ohio, April 38, 1848.

Brother McLellin. — I left Kirtland, my
home, on the 17th of February, in order to.
take a short tour preaching. I visited Ohio
City, Laporte, and Huntington. I preached
six discourses, two in Huntington, one near
La'porte, and three in Cleveland; and I have
talked to inquiries more than to preuch six
sermons more. Before I left home I had
thought that the conduct of the church of
Latterday Saints, and especially the Lead-
ers, had so prejudiced people in general
against any man or body of people who.
would profess belief in the divine validity of
the book of Mormon, that there would be an
entire apathy on the subject: but I must con-
fess iny entire mistake. I have found peo-
ple not only ready and anxious to inquire,
but also the honest in heart rejoice to have
the privilege to receive the doctrine and to
obey the ordinances of the church of Christ.
In this city, on the 27th Feb., I baptised
one, and on the 28th four more.- And in
our confirmation meeting, we had a melting
time, a precious time, a heaven-born time, I
assure you. The spirit of love and peace
and great rejoicing was poured into our
hearts, and I truly felt to magnify, the name

94

THE ENSIGN

of the Lord for the privilege of my Bbort
tour. Ah, Mid I in my heart, if the ciders
of the church of Christ could but realize for
what they were ordained, they would cer-
tainly be in their Master’s business,— altho’
at a sacrifice of their time and earthly sub-
stance.

On the 11th of March, I visited my few
brethren again, and on Monday following I
baptised and confirmed four more, who are,
now rejoicing with us in the great work,
and I ordained bro. Wm. H. Parcel an El-
der among them, so that they can now keep
up their meetings, and thus keep the Spirit
of the Lord to be their guide and teacher.
And again on Saturday the 15th inst., I vis-
ited the little few in this citv, and spent two
or three days with them. ' And while we
worshipped and rejoiced together three more
were added to our numbers— and a fair pros-
pect still of more. My dear brother Wm.
let me say to you, and through the Ensign of
Liberty to all its readers, that I have no
fears now but that the true church will now
prosper and progress until “the winding up
scene. O may God speed our cause in his
own way, and gather among us the honest
in heart — and none others. Amen.

1 am your brother in the fellowship of the
cause of Christ,

LEONARD RICH.

and proclaim that it should not pass away
till he would come in his kingdom. The
reflection of which fills my heart; and causes
me to act so far as I can in my feeble man-
ner, to prepare a people for his reception. —
On many things the Lord has given me
great light and intelligence, and my calling
and relation to tho heavens I know; but I
must confess that now I am somewhat diffi-
culted on two points, relative to the strict
legality of the Latter Day Saint baptism,
and also concerning a re-baptism. I think
all those who are baptized into L. D. Saint-

ism become harlots or prostitutes in the

scripture-sense of the term. And whv not '
if they are not in the Church-of Christ, then
they are m the Church of the Devil, for
there are il save it be two churches on the
lace of the whole earth”— the Church of
Christ and the Church of the Devil. Hence
all who are not baptized into Christ, must,
if they have been baptized, belong to the
“mother of harlots.” 8

West Burra lo, Iowa, Jan. 6, 18^8.

W. E. McLcllin : — Dear Sir: Yours
of Nov. 19th is just receivnd, and it afforded
us no small degree of pleusure to learn that
you, after a tedious journey, arrived safely
at home to be greeted by your family and
friends, finding them enjoying good health—
the greatest blessing life can afford. My
family are at present in the enjoyment of
good health, awL-So^are the friends and
neighbors. In all my practice here this sea-
son, I have lost but one patient out of some
150.

My heart was made glad to hear of the
happy seasons you speak of erjoying in
Kirtland in the service of God, with your
lew brethren. As it regards your enemies
or mine, they can go so far and no farther.

I have pot seen any of Strang’s papers since
1 parted with you, neither have I had any
other intelligence from him since the letter
you read at my house. I have not thought
it of any advantage to me, further to exam-
ine into his claims. As it regards my preach-
i n £V * lecture occasionally. The position I
take is as follows — Being commanded after
my baptism by a special revelation of the <
blessed Savior, to preach to this generation, 1

If I understand your principles, and I
think I do, I would say to you go on in the
name of the Lord, the victory is sure. Truly
the Master has blessed you with a superla-
tive talent, and may your fruitful mind ever
present those benevolent, equitable, and
superlative principles which so highly char-
acterize the source from whence they come,
viz: the higher order of Beings. And for-
get not to offer tip your fervent prayers for
me, though I’m in a far distant land. For
I can trufy say with the poet, “

■Tho’ the deep between us rolls ,
Friendshifljstill unites our souls.

And the day may come if we prove faithful
that we may stand shoulder to shoulder, and
lieart to heart, pushing forward the great
truth that “Messiah is coming on earth to
reign. There is nothing on earth' I so
much desire as a faithful and true fellow in
the great and glorious work. Yea, I feel
ttiatil faithful, more than millions of admir-
ing souls will yet follow in our train ! Myr-
iads of anxious spirits are now waiting to
seethe work accomplished, and then to waft
the intelligence to a higher order of beings
who will j,„„ the loud Alleluias to God
&the Lamb, which will fill all the mansionsof
glory with praise, whilst admiring millions
from pole to pole will humbly bow at the
slirine of Jesus, and hear the plaudit “well
done good and faithful, enter into rest.”
lou ask what calculation you may make
on me. lou may calculate that as fast as
I learn the will of God, I will try in my
weakness to do it, I feel dissatisfied with
my present situation. We are deprived of

OF LIBERTY.

educational privileges, and many social re-
sources that make life desirable. But we
have moved so many thousand miles, and
wasted so much substance, that I am almost
tired of the journey of life. 1 feel like find-
ing & place to rest this feeble body, where I
can improve my mind for future usefulness
to my fellow man. I would be glad to see
some of the Elders of the church of Christ in
this region. I think S. James and his man
Friday [Hinckle,] are at an end, as to in-
fluence in this section of country. I know
of none who have joined them since you left
us.

I close by subscribing myself your affec-
tionate friend indeed.

A. P. RINGER.

Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa,

:ott Co., Iowa, >
Feb. 8, ’48. $ •

Da. McLellin — D ear brother in the Lord,
if 1 may call' you so — for I believe you
are honest in the work of the Lord. —
} feel to communicate to you my mind
at present in regard to the important events
that await us in these last days. My mind
has been employed more than it ever was
before on the tilings of God, since I took the
parting hand with you in Oct. last, at the
llinklite conference in 111. It is not needful
for me to say much about that conference,
for you know that in plain language the
Devil took the uppermost seat among them.
I was glad that I attended it. I saw enough
there to do me forever in regard to Rigdon-
ism and llinkleism. May the Lord have
mercy on them and help them to change
their wa/s, is my desire. I was glad to see
you bear their slang so well as you did. It
was too bad — too bad indeed.

I am as strong in the faith as I ever was.
You know that there are some hero who are
honest in heart, who wish to know and do
the Lord’s will. For myself, l am deter-
mined to serve the Lord to the very best of
my ability. I hope you and the good breth-
ren in Kirlland will remember me in your
prayers. I feel sometimes as though I was
travelling in the wilderness alone. I long
to see tlicday when the Lord’s people will
gather together to serve him with one heart
and one consent. Be where they will, I feel
like being with them. There is no pleasure
in this earth for me except it is in the work
ofthe Lord. 1 long to see the time come
when the Lord will send ms messengers
out for the last time to prune his vineyard. —
Brother Ringer is well. lie gives us a lec-
ture once and a while, which helps us some.
We think we shall be to see you next fall, if
the Lord will, We. hope you will endeavor

to carry out the true principles of Godliness
there. May the Lord bless you with the
spirit of truth fn carrying out his marvelous
work. O brethren, live much on your knees
as the prophets did of old. They would fast
and pray for days and weeks together, to
know the will of the Lord. He is the same
God now as he was then— and ever will be,
to them that love and serve him.

I am your distant, but faithful brother and
friend, JAMES E. BUNSIDE.

Wbst Elizabeth, Pa., March 8, 1838.

Brother McLellin: * r * Last

spring I received one of your papers, which
gave a partial but interesting history of the
Church. I liked the spirit it breathed, and
I have a strong desire to knnow more about
the matter. Now tell me, can we lift up
our heads and rejoice in the belief that the
Church of God — the pillar and ground ofthe
truth, isonce more organized and established
upon the foundation of the Apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the
chief corner stone 1 I trust this is the case.
The spirit seems to whisper yes. At least
1 feel so myself. * * • *

Your old friend and brother,

J. W. RUBY.

PECULIAR OMENS.

During the summer of 1838 the society of
people calling themselves “The church of
Latter Day Saints," were in full tide of
prosperity in Caldwell county, Mo., and they
thought and proclaimed themselves an equal
and even a superior match for nil their ene-
mies; they had a county of their own selec-
tion; they had settled it, and possessed it,
arid governed it civilly, politically, militarily
and religiously. In the fullness of their
freedom on the 4th day of July, hundreds af-
ter hundreds collected together on the groat
square in the city of the Far West, and S.
Rigdon, the orator of the day which is sa-
cred in the memory of our nation, mounted
a rostrum reared by the side of a. tall “Lib-
erty pole,” from the top of which floated
gracefully the stars and stripes, as emblems
of the freedom of our place and nation. —
Long and loud rolled the peals of eloquence
in the cars of the vast assemblage of L. I).
Saints. Festivity and glee was the order of
the day, and all those who had embraced that
peculiar religion or ism, retired rejoicing
that their lots had fallen in so free and salu-
brious a clime, where plenty smiled all
around.

Brit in a few days thereafter, by a combi-
nation of thd elements, a dark cloud hovered

96

THE ENSIGN

immediately over the “ Prairie City,” and
heaven, shot forth a vivid arrow from the
lightning's quiver, which splintered the
LiBBRTr rOLE into fragments, strewing
them over that very spot where that vast
concourse but a few days previously had hod
their hearts warmed with the prospects be-
fore them. The alter history of that people
in that region, but too plainly shows that
the fate of the pole was eminently ominous
of that dark deeded L. D. Sainusm, in all
its parties and factions. During the winter
following, that people, by mobocratic fury,
were burled from that State, to wander from
their homes and from their rights.

Kirtland, Ohio, had been the birth-place,
tha seat, and the center of the operations of
L. D. Saintism, from its beginning in 1834
until about the close of 1837, when the Ora-
tor of the shivered pole, with the Prophet at
his head, fled thence to the Far West. The
Kirtland Temple had been reared here, and
was the boast of the church and the wonder
of visitants. With a kind o( sacred feeling
the Latter Day Saint would approach it and
worship among its curtains within its mas-
sive walls, verily supposing that God had
accepted the House at the hands of the
builders, and had set his name there for de-
liverance. But a council in heaven decreed
that their disapprobation should be signally
manifested, so that all that deluded people
might know that God and all heaven was
opposed to their wicked course.

In the year 1838or9 a flash of vivid, Tucid
light, quickening its pace from a dark cloud
above, struck the spire of the Kirtland Tem-
ple, and shook the building to its base, rid-
dling its upper portions fearfully. One pe-
culiarity we will mention here. The lower
story of the House was built by, the church
of Christ, before the leading authorities
changedtheircharucteristic name to that of
Latter Day Saints. But the upper parts of
tho House, which were finished by those
who had embraced that notable ism, suffered
from the anger of tho furies. The lower
was uninjured.

But t!>e above did not suffice. The lead-
ing men of that “ill-fated people,” once
more pitched their head quarters in Nauvoo,
111. There they caused to be erected a su-
perb fabric, called the “House of the Lord;”
and throwel its dome, high into air, with its
spire still higher; and near its pivot they
fixed a pretended figure of an angel, over-
laid with gold, holding a trumpet in his
hand. A few weeks since we received a
letter from a reliable source in Nauvoo, con-
taining this particular remark: “The Tem-
ple here is still in possession of A. Babbit,

and is only used for a show. The. whole
edifice is in bad repair, and no effort .is made
to keep it otherwise. The wind has blown
the angel’s head and shoulders off, and made
him drop his trumpet.”- Thus has fallen
again an ill omen upon Latter Day Saint-
ism.

It does seem strange to us that so many
ominous, specific, peculiar, and marked dis-X"
plays of the anger of God in or through his
elements; striking at their highest points of
glory— even at, their houses or worshfe,
does not awake and startle them at their
danger. But that arch enemy of all good
men seems to hold that people as with a
charm, so that he may drag them down to
hell. They seem determined to take no
warning, neither from God, from his light-
nings, from his winds, nor from his faithful
and true prophets. Finally as we have said
before, their doom is sealed, and destruction
awaits them. Three signal, ominous warn-
ings have been given them, but they have
heeded them not. Now if we could believe
their leaders — the Twelve, honest in their
late proclamation, we should think that they
were still believing that, they should yet
prosper— that they could now build a great
city ilia Basin among the Rocky Mountains.
But, “Verily thus saith the Lord, tint peo-
ple of the Latter Day Saints, who have gone
to the wilderness, never shall build ana Be
permitted to inhabit, never shall plant or-
chards or vineyards, and enjoy the fruits
thereof.” Those therefore, who run at their
call, will onlv run to meet calamity, trouble,
and w'o. The truth they neither teach
nor practice.

(C/^Our friends will remember our Con-
ference on the 19th of June next, to be held
in the Temple in Kirtland. W e solicit a
general attendance of our friends, but es-
pecially of the Ministry.

d/^Our seventh No. will not be issued
until after our eonferer.ee. This No. has
been delayed in consequence of tire sickness
of our printer.

K?”Thu8 far we hate issued nnd sent
our paper to inanv subscribers who have
not as yet sent us tub dollars to aid us
paying the printer. We are anxious to
have our papers read, but still we want to
give our readers a gentle hint. That's all.
We would be glad if our agents and friends
generally, would exert themselves a little to
send us more subscribers.

) THE ENSIGN OF LIBERTY.

VOL. ! RIRTLASD, LIKE COUNTY, 0010, AUGUST, 1849. NO. 7.

OUR INSPECTS. CHURCH OF CHRIST is concer-

\ ned. God is our father; Jesus is our .

\ More than twelve months have Head, our great High Priest, our
passed away since we issued the Oth friend and Savior, our King, Ruler
number of the Ensign of Liberty.— and Lawgiver. Angels are our min-
No doubt many of our readers have isters to light up the flames of eternal
supposed that our paper was dead. — love-in our souls. And all the good,

It has not been dead, “but only sleep- holy,' warm-hearted and heavenly
ing.” At its commencement a num- minded men and women on earth, are
her of men gathered around us and our fellow-laborers in the great work
said “0 ves, by all means print a pa- of the last days, in which we feel de-
per, and we will help to sustain it.” votedly engaged.

To some extent we relied upon their In our faith, our belief, our opin-
promised aid, but have been much ions, and in our hopes concerning the
disappointed; hence our delay. But work in which we are engaged, wc
we intend that our paper shall be are the same as set forth in the pre-
forth-coming, occasionally, notwith- ceding numbers of this paper, except
standing all the harping of all our in one thing only, and that is in rela-
opposers among all the L. D. Saints, tion to the lesser priesthood, or the
in all their scattered parties and fac- priesthood which is after the order of
tions. Aaron or Lovi, belonging to the

■ The want of means to publish our church of Christ in our day. But
paper has not prevented the church wc have full confidence in the high
of Christ in this place from holding priesthood which is after the holy or-
their meetings punctually, on every der of the Son of God. And we
Lord's day. And wc assure our now hold the opinion that all the olli-
friends abroad that when we meet in ces necessary for the government of
the name of the Lord, we always the church, exist in this priesthood,
“rejoice and continue to rejoice,” that even from the Deacon’s oflicc to the
the Lord is freeing us from all the office of the first President of the
false doctrines, principles, practices, whole church. And to us there is a
and all the evil spirits which are cith- i beauty in the doctrine of otic Lord,
er influencing or governing all the va- one Priesthood, one faith, one baptism,
rious delusions of the world. Wc one church, one name, and one hope
feel that Christ has made us free, and of our calling.

that “wc are free indeed.” Our num- We feel that independence and
hers, as in our beginning, arc few; manliness about us that when we are
but few as wc are, wc have never convinced of an error in word, in
met in the name of the Lord, but that deed, or in doctrine or principle we
we have felt and enjoyed the divine arc not only willing, but we rejoice
operations and influences of the Iloly in the privilege of seeing it and turn-
Spirit of our God. I ing away from it. Our whole object

Our design is to faithfully move j is to know and do the truth; and no-
onward, so as to increase in spiritual j thing ljut simple, unadulterated truth.
liirhH divine intelligence, and in power j will answer our purpose. Error ne-
witb God. and in" favor with all the 1 ver sanctified one intelligent man, but
honest in heart. We have no fears j truth has thousands. And indeed ali
as to the future, so far as THE “the church of the first born” who

FT

98 THE ENSIGN I

are glorified, have received their glory of the night; by the Urim and Thum- '

by embracing, and then faithfully fol- mim, and by the voice of the Holy • <

lowing after diamond truth. And Ghost. God is a spiritual being, and \ <
one great truth which we esteem the our “inner man” is a spiritual sub- '

very pedestal, — the only foundation stance. Corporal matter can join '•

on which the whole Christian system with, or act on corporeal matter. — «

stands. Yes, the only basis of all the And spiritual existences can unite
dispensations of God s goodness to with, act on, or communicate to oth- 1

man, exists in the principle and the er spirits. And hence man, being 1

continued practice of “the direct rev- composed of matter and spirit coin-
elation of God to man." This is the bined, can be influenced by objects 1

beginning of our faith, and will be of this world, and also hold converse <

the end of our salvation. We love with the “spirit world,” and thus re- <

the idea, and we love the practice ceive direct intelligence and instruc- •

more, because it fraternizes with ev- tion from his Creator. Hence it is <

cry principle revealed in God’s sacred said “There is a spirit in man; and <

books, with all the principles of our i the inspiration of the Almighty giveth 1
intelligence, and with all the warm- them understanding.” Again, “The 1

est affections of our own hearts.— spirit of man is the candle or lamp of :

Were It not for our belief in this prin- the Lord.” There is a spiritual un-
eiple, we could not be religious. But ion and communion between the Lord '
thanks be to the Lord that we ever and those who belicVe in and enjoy
learned it by embracing the book of direct revelations from him that no *
Mormon — by uniting with the church other beings can either realize or en-
of Christ— by becoming familiar with joy. It is' an clement in which the t
Joseph and David, the Lord’s Proph- carnal mind cannot dwell. Those , 1

cts— and by learning the principle by only who have partaken of “the di- |
direct inspiration from God, or rather vine nature of Christ” can undcr-
we received the gift from heaven by stand it or be happy in such a state,
yielding obedienefe to the gospel of I, as scribe, have written revela- |
Christ. Ed. tions from the month of both the

— 7 * I Revelators, Joseph Smith and David

RE\ ELA'IIONS. Whitmcr. And I have been present

many times when others wrote for

I he manner of receiving the word Joseph ; therefore I speak as one
of the Lord is a subject upon which having experience. The scribe seats §

I have thought much. I mean the himself at a desk or table, with pen.
manner and way that holy men of ink and paper. The subject of cn-
old received and wrote the scriptures quiry being understood, the Prophet
of truth. And as I publish some rev- and Revelator enquires of God. He
illations in this ]\o., I 'would so far as spiritually secs, hears and feels, and \

1 understand it, give my views. Be- then speaks as he is moved upon bv
fore Adam fell, no doubt the Lord the Holy Ghost, the “thus saith the
talked with him face to face, as a man Lord,” sentence after sentence, and s
talks with his friend. After he fell, waits for his amanuenses to write and
this spiritual union ceased until after j then read aloud each sentence. Thus
repentance and adoption. These they proceed until the revelator says
holy men received “the word” from Amen, at the close of what i§ then
God by his’ own voice, by the hand, communicated. 1 have known both
mediation or ministration of Angels; those men mentioned above, to seat I
by open visions of the day, or dreams themselves, & without premeditation.

' 99

OF LIBERTY.

to thus deliver off in broken senten- known and well understood by those
ces, some of the most sublime pieces men, many weeks and months betore
of composition which I ever perused J visited them. I have made the a-
in any book. But here I might be bove remarks because I have been
asked, do you endorse the principles charged with waking up the Prophet
and conduct of Joseph Smith? And in his duty, and because some have
I answer no. His professional career thought that those men acted without
for irood wound up with his appoint- mature deliberation,
ment of David, his successor, in the On the 4th of Sept., about sunset,
year 1834. Between this period and I arrived in Richmond, Ray Co., Mo.,
the time when the church was first at the residence of David Whitmer,
organized in 1830, I believe Joseph We spent until midnight s hour m la-
endeavored to live a holy life, but miliar converse relative to lus gilts
after that important event he never and callings from God, and concern-
even professed to give but a few rev- ing the great work of the last days,
elations, and in them I have no con- Not ajar appeared in our sentiments
fidence. In those published in this or feelings, and we retired. On the
paper given through David, I have 5th, he had an engagement, but m the
all confidence. They were dictated, evening die, his bro. Jacob, and my-
I believe, bv the power of the Holy self, retired to a lonely place, and
Spi r j t ' Ed. there under the cover of the night,

* * n and of the forest, David gave me a

, OUR TOUR WEST IN 1847. succinct history of the dealings of

the Lord with him back until the year

When I published the third number 1839, when I had last seen him. At
of this paper, I did not then deem it the close of this interesting interview
wisdom to publish the particulars of we bowed together in the stillness ot
the conference held in Far West, on a late hour at night, in the shady
the 7th and 8lh days of Sept., with ! grove, and each vocally called upon
| some of the original “witnesses” of God, the one after the other, while
the book of Mormon. But as circnm- his Holy Spirit distilled upon our
stances have transpired since, and as hearts as the morning dew.
matters now stand, we believe it to On the 0th, 'David and Jacob VVliit-
be our duty to present to our readers mer, and Hiram Page, accompanied
a history of that important confer - 1 me to Far West, to visit their broth-
cncc. But let us premise a little here. | cr John Whitmer. On the 7th, in
It will be remembered that in Dec. j the morning, we bowed in family
1846 I wrote a long letter to Prcsi- 1 prayer — David being mouth. But in
dent David Whitmer. And in March the midst of his prayer his own weak-
and April following, I published the ness, and the greatness of the work
first and second numbers of this pa- ot the Lord pressed in full \ lew be-
per, and immediately sent them to fore himj lie shrunk and cried aloud
him and his friends. When I parted for mercy. His head as it were, was
with 0. Cowdery the last of July, in I a fountain of tears, and his eyes
Wisconsin, he immediately wrote to streams of water; his whole frame
David and acquainted him with the ; trembled and shook under the power
fact that I was on my wav to make ot God, and his natural strength be-
hirn a visit. This letter he had re- gan to give way, and he cried out
c.elved some davs before I arrived.— “ Brethren lay hands upon me that I
Hence the whole matter of the stand may have strength to do my duty.”
I we had taken in Kirtland was well We arose and ministered to him; and

100 THE ENSIGN

if ever deep and powerful feeling will walk with me by faith, and be |
filled my whole heart, that was the prepared as a bride when the face of
time. He received strength and con- the covering shall be taken off of all
eluded his prayer. flesh, and heaven be revealed unto

After breakfasting, we retired to a men. Come then unto me and I will
pleasant inner room, and dedicated own you. Let rny servant William,
ourselves to God, in a council capaci- who has separated himself unto mei
ty; and then held a free and lengthy to obey the voice of my spirit, though
consultation about the first rise and all manner of evil be spoken against
progress of the work from the year him therefor, repent and turn away
1827 up to 1834, and onward to the henceforth from all blindness of mind,
present time. We conversed freely, and harshness of spirit, and fear of
and particularly about the re-organi- evil doers; and let him trust in me
zation of the same church by us in
Ivirtland, in Feb. 1847. I was par-
ticular to relate to them all the great
and important principles made known
to us, and upon which we had acted.

The following revelation which we
had received on the 10th of Feb. pre- 1 shall go forward to please me, as you
ceding, which was the cause of the j have taken upon you the name’ of
re-organization, was read and ap- : Christ, mine Anointed, then it will
proved: “Verily I the Lord say unto j be pleasing unto me that you should 1
those who are now present, who have
bowed before me and unitedly asked
in the name of Jesus, to know my
will, I am not angry with you, but
the Angels rejoice over you when I Priesthood which you had’ received *
they behold your faith in me; and in my church. Yea, let my servant ,,

your willingness to receive light, and j William baptize and confirm, and then J

truth at my hand. And if you will : re-ordain my servnat Martin. And
continue to be united in my name, j thus shall he confirm his authority
and keep the covenant which you j upon him by the laying on of hand’s
have now made that you will always I and saying, Brother Martin 1 lav mv
obey my voice, and always seek unto I hands upon you in the name of Jesus
me when you lack wisdom ; verily I : Christ, and I re-ordain you, and con- <
the Lord, will lift you up, and no firm upon you the office of high priest
power of evil shall ever prevail a- in the church of Christ, after the holv
gainst you: but I will bless you and j order of the Son of God. And I pray
lead you, and I will he your Itulcr in 'God in the name of Jesus, his son, to
lime, and in eternity you shall dwell j give unto you in your calling, all the a
with me in peace. It is. my -will that j gifts and blessings and powers thereof. ' J
inasmuch as you have taken upon and keep you faithful unto the end.
you my name, that you should now amen. And then let my servant
be freed from all your dead works, Martin administer unto my servant
from all evil spirits, and from all un- William in the same manner, accord-
righteousness, by being born into the ing to the same pattern. And then
church by obedience to the ordinan- let my servant Leonard likewise re-
ces of baptism and confirmation, that ceive’the same ministration. r~ y
1 may build up unto myself a holy “Yea, let my servants William and
people, zealous of good works ; who Martin and Leonard, do as the spirit

also take upon you mine ordinances
of baptism and confirmation, and then
re-ordination — or rather a confirma-
tion of the holv authority of the

continually lor deliverence, and I the
Lord will hold him in mine own
hands, and lulfil all my promises to
him.

“And now in as much as you de-
sire to know mv will and how von

OF LIBERTY 101

of truth now directs them, and in I you from the beginning, and have
which they feel a clearness, and I the : seen that in your hearts dwelt truth,
Lord will open the way before you and righteousness. And now I re-
as seemeth to me good, and no pow- veal unto you my friends, through
er shall stay my hand, but I will ac- my beloved son, your Savior. And
complish my work and that speedily, for the cause of my church it must
For gainsayers shall be confounded, needs have been that ye were cast
but my people who know my voice out from among those who had pol-
a and follow me shall rejoice and con- luted themselveS'and the holy author-
tinue to rejoice; and the glory shall ity of their priesthood, that I the
be ascribed unto me, instead of unto Lord could preserve my holy priest-
•jt man. hood on earth, even on this land on

‘■And now concerning the authori- which I the Lord have said Zion
ty of my servant David, I would say should dwell,
unto you that no man being directed Now marvel not that I have pre-
by my spirit will ever condemn what served you and kept you on this land,
my spirit now teaches you. Go for- It was for my purpose, yea even for
ward then, that my designs in the a wise purpose, that the world and
work ot the last days may prosper my church should not know, speaking
in your hands. And now I say unto after your manner of language; for
you. to always trust in me, and you my church for a time did not dwell on
shall never be confounded, worlds earth, — speaking of the righteousness
without end, amen.” of the church of Christ. For verily,

Every part and principle of the verily saith the Lord, even Jesus,
above was scanned, and as I supposed your Redeemer, they have polluted
well understood by all those present, my name, and have done continually
; Wc then agreed to call upon the Lord wickedness in my sight, therefore
to know his mind and will concerning shall they be led whithersoever I will
s those who were there present. And j and but few shall remain to receive
we agreed or covenanted to implicit- ' their inheritances. Therefore I say
ly obey what the Lord might reveal j unto you my son David, fear not, for
to us. I took my scat at a table prc- ! I am your Lord and your God; and
pared to write; David took his seat I have held you in my own hands,
near to roe, and he requested the You shall continue your inheritance
others to gather near around him. — on this my holy land; and it is for a
Then alter a few moments of solemn wise purpose in me, which purpose
secret prayer, the following was de- shall be revealed hereafter,
livered solely through and by David It is even for the testimony that
Whitmer, as the Revelator, and writ- all those who are present have borne
ten by me as scribe, viz: and remain honest therein, that the

“ Veiily, verily thus saith the Lord covenants that I the Lord have given
unto you my servants David, and you should be kept sacred on this
John, and William, and Jacob, and iand, and were it not so, you could
Hiram, it is for my name’s sake saith not now receive wisdom at’ my hand,
the Lord God of hosts, that your For I the Lord had decreed that my
sins are now forgiven, and that you | people, who had taken upon them my
shall have my word concerning you. holy name, should not pollute the land
Therefore marvel ye not that I the by 'the holy authority of their priest-
Lord your God have dealt with you hood.) Now I say unto you that my
on this wise, concerning you on this church may again arise, she must ac-
land. Behold I have looked upon knowledge before me that they all

102

THE ENSIGN

have turned awav from me and built
up themselves. Even in the pride of
their own hearts have they done wick-
edness in my name, even all manner
of abominations, even such that the
people of the world never was guilty
of.

Therefore I the Lord have dealt eo
marvelously with my servant Wil-
liam. Therefore I have poured out
my spirit upon him from time to time,
that the “ man of sin ” might be re-
vealed through him. To him I have
given my Holy Spirit. I have inspired
his heart to discern the true princi-
ples of my kingdom, that he may a-
gain buiid up my ehurch as from the
beginning. Therefore I have inspired
him to build it up according to my
law. Therefore he shall continue to
do all things according to the pattern
that I have shown to him. Now I
say unto you my servant William,
that you may not err, be meek and
humble before me, and you shall al-
ways know by mv spirit the correct
principles of my kingdom. There-
fore. I the Lord command you to in-
struct all the honest in heart, and to
break down all those false theories
and principles of all those who claim
to hold authority from my church. —
And the work that thou shalt do in
my kingdom shall be to preach and
to gather out those who are honest
in heart, whithersoever thou canst
find them. And after this mission
thou shalt return towards thy home
and preach wherever my spirit com-
mands thee. For I have a work for
thee to do in the land where thy fam-
ily resides. For there shalt thy work
commence.

Thou shalt build up my church
even in the land of Kirtland, and set
forth all things pertaining to my king-
dom. Thou shalt write concerning
the downfall of those who once com-
posed my church, and set forth to the
world by the light and power of my
spirit, why I the Lord did not prosper

them. For verily, verily thus saith
the Lord unto you, thine heart have
I prepared to do this work. It must
needs be, in as much as they have all
wandered and been led astray in
many instances, that they must now
be proven and tried, so that they may
learn to keep my law, and do my
will, saith the Lord your God. And
if they prove themselves holy before
me, then they shall have my word 1
and my- law from Zion. Therefore
have I the Lord said that “the meek
shall inherit the earth,” even so, a-
men.”

One thing in the foregoing revela-
tion came in direct contact with one
of my previous opinions. I had sup-
posed that Kirtland would become
the residence of David, the Lord's "
Prophet. But while I was marveling
in my mind how the work could go
on and he remain in Missouri, and
also freely speaking to John Whit-
mer some of my thoughts and feel-
ings on the subject, brother David *
came and seated himself near me a-
gain, and said, brother William, the f
Lord has something more for us, and
you may write again. And the word jfl
of the Lord came as follows :

“ Behold I the Lord, say unto you
my friends, in as much as you have i;
covenanted to be my friends, and to
keep all my commandments, I will i
reveal unto you this mystery, which
you have sought for; that in as much
as it was expedient in me to preserve
my church or a remnant thereof, a-
greeable to the covenants which I
have made with all the holy saints 3
from the beginning of the world. — -I

Therefore as I had built up my king-
dom according to my holy order, and f
placed you upon this land, and conse-
crated you to the holy order of my
priesthood, therefore my servant Da-
vid if thou should’st leave this land, d
and those of thy brethren who havo y

103

OF LIBERTY

remained with thee, then you shall
forfeit your right and make the word
of God of none elfect. For I have
said unto you in days past and gone,
that but few should remain to receive
. their inheritances. 'Therefore a com-
mandment I give unto you my ser-
vant. David, and also my servants
i John, and Hiram, and Jacob, that
i you must remain until I command
& you, and then you shall only be per-
mitted to visit the faithful in my kmg-
8 dom. For now ye do hold the right
of this, the consecrated land of Zion,
that in the fulness of time your breth-
ren may claim by right of the covc-
nant which ye have kept, inheritances
in the land of Zion. Now I say unto
you all, that from time to time ye
I shall see and know by my Spirit all
things pertaining to these words which
I have now given you. Now I say
{ no more unto you concerning this
; matter, even so, amen.”

With the above I was perfectly
satisfied. Cause and effect were both
\ set forth, and we felt to acquiesce. —
But then I saw what a great respon-
t sibilitv would rest on me, especially
l when I should return to Kirtland. I
I then saw and in some measure real-
: ized, that we should see each other
I -but seldom. Near a thousand miles
, would separate us and our fields of
labor, — for a season at least. And I
said in my heart, 0 Lord, if thou
hast a word of intelligence more for
me, reveal it, O reveal it now to me !

I expressed my anxiety^ to my breth-
ren present, and the enquiry being
; made, the Lord through his servant
David, made known, while I wrote
, the following :

“Verily, verily thus saith the Lord
your God, unto you my servant Wil-
liam, as I have shown unto you at
| many a time by the power of my
spirit, that I have called you to my 1
| work, Therefore I admonish you to :

be meek and lowly in heart, that you
may have my spirit always to be with
you. For it must needs be that you
must have my spirit, even the spirit
of discernment. For thou shalt dis-
cern between the righteous and the
wicked, for there will be many spirits
which shall manifest themselves in
the church of Christ. And it must
needs be that my servants who teach
my people must discern all these
things. Therefore I have given you
the pattern, and the power, and the
wisdom, and the understanding, to
build up my church in Kirtland, to be
a standard and a light to the inhabit-
ants of the earth, that they may know
that the church of Christ is estab-
lished here on earth. And I the Lord
will that you should teach my ser-
vants at Kirtland. and else-whcre, to
adhere toHlie order of my church as
it is written in the holy scriptures;
that all who have not obeyed the
gospel in my church may be taught
the principles of my church in the
light of truth and righteousness, in all
holiness and meekness before me, saith
your God. For it is wisdom in me
saith the Lord, that my people who
name my name should observe har-
mony and good order, that the truth
of God may prevail among the chil-
dren of men.”

But here David said a vision opened
before him, and the spirit which was
upon him bid him stop and talk to me
concerning it. He said that in the
bright light before him he saw a small
chest or box of very curious and fine
workmanship, which seemed to be"
locked, but he was told that it con-
tained precious things, and that if I
remained faithful to God, I should ob-
tain the chest, and its contents. I
marveled at this relation, from the
fact that on the 29th day of April,
1844, while in vision, I saw the same
or a similar chest, and received a
similar promise from the Spirit which

104

THE ENSIGN

talked with me. I was told that it
contained “ the treasures of wisdom
*nd knowledge from God.”

At this point we counselled partic-
ularly relative to the authority bv
which the church was reorganized in
Xirtland, and the reasons why the
Lord required us to be re-baptized,
■confirmed, ordained. They said the
principles and reasons which had ac-
tuated us were correct, and that they
were ready. They felt it, the’ Y said,
to be their duty to do as we had done.
But it was late in the afternoon, arid
was raining, therefore we deemed it
wisdom to wait until morning. Here
objecters could not reasonably find
lault and say that these men were
over-persuaded, or that they acted
m haste-in this important matter. —
But morning came, and a beautiful
iright day it was too. We repaired
to the water about a mile distant, and
there on the bank of a beautiful
stream, we dedicated ourselves to
God in the united solemn prayer of
lauh. I then led those four man into
the water and ministered to them in
the name of the Lord Jesus. But as
we returned again to our council
room, brother David and I turned
aside, and called upon the Lord, and
received direct instruction how we
should further proceed. And we all
partook of bread and wine in remem-
brance of the Lord Jesus. I then
confirmed those who were now born

into the church of Christ, anew.

And then (as directed) 1 ordained H.

I age to the office of High Priest, in
the holy priesthood which is after the
order of the Son of God. And we
'two ordained Jacob Whitmer to the
same office. Then we all laid hands
on John Whitmer and re-ordained
him to the priesthood, and to be
counsellor to Pavid in the first presi-
dency of the church. And then with
the most solemn feelings which I ever
-fenced, we stepped forward and
all laid hands upon David and re-or-

dained him to all the gifts and call-
ings to which he had been appointed
through Joseph Smith, in the general
assembly of the inhabitants of Zion
m July 1S34. , The above being ac-
complished, David said to me we will
now inquire of God, and finish the
revelation to you, commenced on
yesterday; and we received the fol-
lowing, viz:

“Now again I the Lord say unto
you my servant William, that von
must bo contented with what you have
received concerning Zion. Thou
shalt again return to the land of Kirt-
lanu, and there thou shalt teach and
expound, and write all things concer-
ning my kingdom. For to thee have
1 given power, and in as much as you
ask wisdom concerning those matters
relative to my church, thou shalt in
no wise stumble. For I the Lord
willeth that my people should know
the great preparation that must be
brought about in establishing this last
kingdom. Therefore I command thee
to do all things in wisdom; and set
torth no points concerning the re-
demption of Zion, for that matter re-
mained with me, and I shall see to
it as seemeth me good, that 1 may
have all the glory thereof. There-
fore it must needs be that you instruct
all my servants concerning these inat-

teis, and this for my cause’s sake.

And thou shalt teach them to instruct
ail men that they are only called to
preach the gospel, and build up the
church of Christ here on earth ac-
cording to that which is written.

1 Say y nt0 V ou > m '/ servant

William, to thee have I given wis-
dom''and light, therefore teach them
m spirit and in truth, and thou shalt
be blessed in thy calling. And now
von know your calling, therefore see
to it, and I will bless you forever; A-
men. At this point we closed our
conference. W. E. McLELLLN.

Secretary.

OF LIBERTY

105

REMARKS ON THE ABOVE.

By reading tl)e foregoing revelations and
narrative attentively, our friends can see
plainly what the Lord requires of David
Whitmer. And can also see the duty of
W. E. McLellin. And can assuredly see
what is aud will be the fate of that people
who rose up in Danite fury, hurled defiance
at all civil law, and cast out from among
them the Lord s chosen witnesses. “But
few of them will remain to receive their in-
heritances.” That people called the Lat-
tbr-day Saints, have polluted themselves,
polluted the name of the church, and also
polluted the holy authority of their priest-
hood. And lest they should pollute the land
of Zion, the Lord suffered them to be driven
out from it. Now to suppose that any par-
ty of L. D. Saints will ever really prosper,
is to suppose that the Lord has spoken false-
ly ih the above revelations through his ser-
vant David. It matters not to me whether
it is the Twelveites in the wilderness, the
Wightites in Texas, the Strangles in Wis-
consin, the Brewsterites scattered up and
down, or the Wm. Smithites of Covington,
Ky. All, yes, .all of them, as parlies, are
doomed to disappointment and wo. But few
of them will ever come into the true fold of
Christ and be saved. They seem wedded
to their idols. They appear to love their
heresies, their false principles and their false
doctrines, and still yet they love their abom-
inable practices more. Notwithstanding
there are many among them wfiom we once
Joved in the truth, yet because of their prin-
ciples and their practices, we are bound by
the duty that we owe to God, to ourselves
and to our race to speak thus plainly con-
cerning them. O that they had walked in
the commandments of their God, then at
this day they would have been the most
lovely people on the face of the whole earth.

Editor.

THE WORK OP THE HOLY SPIRIT
AMONG MEN.

Upon this subject much has been written,
and many, very many, elaborate discourses
delivered, by some of the most able roason-
ers in the different ages of the world. With-
in this century, and even during the last
twenty years, there hak been much discus-
sion and disputation upon the nature of the
gift aud work of the Holy Spirit. It is a
subject that we have had under consideration
ever since our first thoughts on Christianity:
but more especially so for the last oighleon
years. During that time we have had sev-

eral public discussions, (debates,) with men
of superior powers of mind; consequently
we think we understand some of the strong
points on this all important subject. And
after thus maturing our subject, tee firmly
believe that men may now exercise as much
faith, and enjoy as much of the Holy Spirit,
as in any former age.of the world.

We shall not in this treatise enter into all
the speculations ofgifted minds upon this
subject; but content ourselves with stating
plainly and frankly, our virws, as we have
done and shall do on all subjects on which
we write. The nature of the influences,
manifestations and gifts of the Holy Spirit
is a matter which especially interests every
person who desires eternal life.

The inspired Apostle says, “if any man,
— yes, any man, have not the spirit of Christ
he is none of his.” Again, “ss many as are
led by the spirit of God, they are the sons
of God.” Adam was a son of God, and he
communed familiarly with his Father, as a
man talks with his friend, face to face, seem-
ingly without a veil between them. He
rested on the love, light and glory of his
Creator, until thb law was broken, and the
fatal fruit swallowed — in consequence of
which he was cast out, became an alien, and
a curse rested upon all the earth for his sake,
or on account of his transgression. There-
fore it became necessary that the plan of
salvation should be revealed toman through
Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit
working among men, in order, that man
might be redeemed from death.

The very first thing received by the adop-
ted child of God is the Holy Spirit. The
spirit of Christ is that which the soul re-
ceives when, “the strong man armed,” is
cast out. It is that which makes the chil-
dren, when adopted into the kingdem, cry
“My Father, my Father;” — that which
makes their worship acceptable to the spir-
itual Head. It is tho witness of that spirit
with theirs by which they know their ac-
ceptance with God. It is the work of the
Holy Spirit hy which the saints are led and
guided into all truth, and can know the things
of God from the things of the Devil. It is
that in which they live and walk, and by
which they will be sanctified and sealed
unto the day of redemption. It is the earnest
of their inheritance until the redemption of
their bodies: and finally, it is the Holy
Spirit which each saint enjoys, bv which
their mortal bodies will be quickened, and
brought forth in the first resurection — when
all the righteous who have ever lived since
Adam (except those translated, and those
who rose immediately after Jesus rose,) will

106

THE ENSIGN

b, ^ l,m win s»st i is iiJ&sj-te*. ■"»? "»"

. ... t . n will uo U1SI

°f which their minds will then search, learn,
expand and comprehend the things of God
in eternity; “for the spirit searches all
things; yea, the deeo things of God.”

Now, if in the redemption of fallen man,

r . "7 vu * upon mem.

And the Lord “pot no difference between
Jew and Gentile in this important matter.

h.r V ’ 9 ' B 1 t “* . t0 thi8 W belonging to
all believers who obey the Gospel, we Will
quote again, Acta v-32: -And we are wit-

« much depends upon ,h7agenc; or work Asses’ ^'.he ,h- ' “a** W * are wit ‘

of the Holy Spirit, we should certainly ex- Holy Ghost whom Pod Trl “ '* alao * he
amine the subject closely, and see to it that thatobav him ” h £ tk g . ,Ven 10 them
we are n„t il : 1 mat obey him. I, This quotation settles the

we are not deceived in so important a mot-
ter. \\ o will now notice a fow points in
tins subject as being the most important.
^ irst. W hat the Savior promised the Holy
Spirit should do when shed forth. Second-
y, W hat the fruits of the Spirit are in true
ehexers. Ihirdly, What the spiritual gifts

U'prn on/l n./. : .. .1.. . /-a, , r .

. .Ik i — • & * w«ow«on semes the

whole matter, that all-yes, male and female
Jew and Gentile, bond and free, received
not o gift of the Holy Spirit only, but the
spirit itself. Then, according to the above,
every one born into the kingdom of Christ,
wil receive the spirit of that kingdom. Jesus
said so, “Except a man be born of wator,

Ann t tlm l 7

were and are in the true Church of Christ andof’tte a man be born of wator,

First, the Savior said to his followers' Kingdom » te TT 6mer int °

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth- itiaex’ Pmoh , m . 0 ^ Got *- ,^ nd every inspired

oedieoi for „o„ ,1... fl ,r *£.'! ex - 1 Fropbet since the world began believed the

same great truth. Hence we see what Je-
sus promised, and also see the effects which
were to follow— that the object of the gift of
the Holy Spirit was to inspire, to justify, to
sanctify, and then to glorify all who received
it— and would retain it unto the end.

Secondly, what the fruits of the Holy
Sp'ritaro in true believers. The fruit of
Ol the Spirit, growing out of its reception,
or following from its effects upon the heart
is that without which no being can be a
Christian. Because the first is a natural
production when the Gospel truths are plant-
ed in the heart by the preaching of the word
and the reception of the Holy Spirit. Paul
saio, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy
peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness,
faitli. meekness, temperance, • • • right-
eousness and truth, against which there is
no law 1 he above fruit of the Spirit as
naturally flows from its reception as water

run a din VI' n K;il a -A .t r

7 - jvu i.jv (min, ii is ex-
pedient for you that I go away; for if I go
not away the comfortenviil not come unto
you. John 16-7. Again, “Behold I send
the promise of my Father upon you: but
tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ve be
endued talk power from on high.” Luke
xxix-49. Reader, examine the following
texts at your leisure, and then we will pro-
ceed again, viz; John xiv-15, 17, 26; xv-2G;
xxi-,, J5. Prom the foregoing we will con-
denae or extract a few short sentences show-
ing what the Holy Spirit was to do when
received. “He (the Comforter, savs Jesus,)
shall (each you all things, shall ' bring all
things to your remembrance, shall testify of
me, will guide you into all truth, and lie will
show yon things to come.” Here five dis-
tinct points, or manifestations of the Holy
Spirit are brought to view— to bo realized
when the disciples received that vneit on from
the Holy One, by which tliby should A-« 0 ieall
things.” t. • • •

r / j naturally now

memory, to testify of CW, to ^rnde i mo all t h a t^rol is thro * h ^ lb | 8 V . ery f,r8t thri11
truth, and to show futurity, viz: things to that “other the ?, 0 “*» ** ,en it receives
come ” But says one, the promise was"o* he the Spl it And i* ? hol { f ™ il " f
apostles only, and not “lo all them who be- Lnel, last ecstatic thrill that

Jieve on him through their word.” Bd it so will be T-' 11 t'° r , feel in lime

vet he who held the keys of the kingdom of ear h v * ° G °s V, be Hi * hest ’

tho a day n* Pcnl^'wWtoh^ 1 'waHefful" bring" f” C / nL ' re ^ tion onhl^who

.,rp « « | " T 7 V..SV...WU IIIC prumiriC

loan the Jews, and to their children, and
to all that are afar off; even as manv as the
Lord our God shall call.” And on 'the day
of Pentecost when the Apostles received
their entitlement there were about one han-
dred and twenty who received it, both men ,
and women. Both at Samaria and Ephesus

, . r J — Uiciruiiwilicn

workb by love and purifies the heart, in re-
alitv and not in name only. When such are
united in a church capacity, and have the
inspired .ministers (and God acknowledges
none others;) there they may and it is their
duty to covet earnestly the best gift., oper-
ations and manifestations of the Spirit also;

fnnt anr>h hn/ I. — l*. *

the believers rece ed .eH,v 'LIT* 8 " d ™ nifes,atioils oft.be Sp

they had obeyri the ££ 7 A& at ^ Ilf ft # into an holy

i ~ - c »— - 4wss«?

OF LIBERTY

107

that they might grow up into Christ their
living Head in all things.

Thirdly, What the spiritual gifts were
and are in the true church of Christ? In
answer to this proposition we shall introduce
the Book of Mormon, as well as the New
Testament, having equal confidence in the
one as in the other. Dear reader, if you
have prejudices, they will do you no good;

• lay them all aside and travel with us into
this weighty subject. Peter and Paul who
held the ministry of the Gospel to both Jew
and Gentile, certainly understood this sub-
; ject. Let them answer. Peter said to the
; Jews on Pentecost, repeating Joel’s words,
“Your sons and your daughters shall prophe-
sy, and your young men see visions, and
your old men shall dream dreams.” “And
I as I began to speak the Holy Ghost ]
fell on them, (Cornelius’ household,) as on
us at the beginning. For as much then as
God gave them the like /rift so he did unto
us who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ,
what was I that I could withstand God?”
Here on this devoted Gentile family the Lord
poured out not only the Holy Ghost, but its
gifts also. Now if Joel and Peter's words
were true — were fulfilled — this family saw-
visions, spake in tongues, prophesied and
dreamed dreams by the influence and gifts
of the spirit of God. Paul says, , “Now there
are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit,
— for to one is given by the spirit the word
of wisdom; to another tho word of knowl-
edge; to another faith; to another gifts of
healing; to another the working of miracles;
to another prophecy; to another diserning
of spirits; to another divers kind of tongues,
and to another the interpretation of tongues.”
Maroni, Chap. 10. “And there are different
ways that the gifts are administered ; but
it is the same God who worketh all in all;
and they are given by the manifestations of
the spirit of God unto men, to profit them.
J^or behold, to one is given the spirit of
God, that he may teach the word of wisdom,
and to another that he may teach tho word
of knowledge by the same spirit; and to an-
other exceeding great faith; and to another
the {gifts of healing by the same spirit. And
again, to another, that he may work mighty
miracles: and again, to another that lie may
propecy concerning all things: and again to
another, the beholding of angels and miuis-
tering spirits; and again to another, all
kinds of tongues; and again to another, in-
terpretation of languages of divers kinds of
tongues. And all these gifts come by the
spirit of Christ; and they come unto every
man severally, according to his will. And
all these gifts of which I have spoken,

which are spiritual never will be done away,
even as long as the world.stnnd, ooly accord-
ing to the unbelief of the children of men.
And now I (Moroni,) speak untosll the ends
of the earth, that if the day cometh that the
power and gifts of God shall be done away
among you, it shall be because of unbelief.
And wo be unto the children of men, if this
be the case; for there shall be none that do-
eth good among you, no not one. For if
there be one among you that dneth good, he
shall work by the power and gifts of God.”
All the above gifts and powers were enjoyed
in the beginning of the gospel dispensation:
and that too by the brbtbrbk, as well as
the Apostles.

Fourthly, For what purpose were those
gifts given by the Lord, and enjoyed by the
saints? The books of God arc our standard.
To them let us refer, and then not only be-
lieve, but rely also on what they teach. -We
think that the' design was certainly accom-
plished under the immediate eye and teach-
ing of those men, who held the destiny of
the world in their hands: or, “who had the
word of reconciliation committed unto
them.” Jesus said to his disciples^ “These
signs shall follow them that believe; in mv
name they shall cast out devils, they shall
speak with new tongues, they shall tnke up
serpents, if they drink any deadly thing it
shall not hurt them, they shall lav hands on
the sick and they shall recover.” Every one
who understands plnin English, will admit
that these “signs” are to follow the believers
in the gospel preached by the Apostolic
ministry, and not to follow the Apostles onlv
— nor not to go before to produce faith in
unbelievers. The design in bestowing or
conferring the above signs or gifts was to
benefit individuals and the whole flock of
God.”

But says one, the only great design was—
to establish the truth of the gospel dispensa-
tion. Let us see. We want truth upon this
subject and the truth only. “And they [the
ministers] went forth and preached every
where, the Lord working with them and
confirming the word with signs following,
amen.” Now if the Lord’s object in giving
those signs was to produce faith in the word
instead of to confirm believers, then the signs
should precede faith, and not follow after it.
But Jesus said, “these signs shall follow,”
which shows to us conclusively that they
were given for the mutual benefit of all, both
ministers and laity. Peter said, “Seeing
ye have purified your souls in obeying the
truth, through the spirit." Paul said, “But
he that prophesyeth, speaketh unto men to
edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”

F*f

108

Now brethren, if I come to you speaking
With tongues, tv bit .hall I profit yo u ; unl e „!
1 apeak to you either by revelation or bv

'‘r 8 ’ ° f by P ro P h - s y in e. or by doc-
trine. ByeU aoye, for aa much aa ve are

THE ENSIGN

. . . . •’ 1W ' 08 inucn as V© are

zealous of spiritual gift,, seek that ye may

fs it the ‘h® t i,fy i np<ir,he church -' How

• it then brethren? when ye/:ome together

nn7^, e h° fyOU ha "! Hath ft"

h * ?U , e ’ halh ° rcveUuion, hath

8 'i thin ^ be d °"* into
|- y rr! . Pau ' '° tl)e Ephesians, in speak-
• In 8 , f Chn,t ? * 8Censi °n. and the gifts giv - 1

uV r ° r tt ,e 18 for "hat 'hoy are gife„. 1
For the perfecting °f the saints, for the

tht lndfor the ed'fying of
the body^fOKjat... Language could not
be more plain. Reader, if those gilts were

SZT 6 8 "d ‘ho only

eaign was to aid them in their ministry'

Ch y l f°K l f e lan ? uo e e addressed to the

excel • • y v^h PO * tl rV “ Seek that ye Ina y
0 f Christ ” I?! h “ e d'fyc&tion of the body
. . * ^ C * n °t the head or ministry

ofChris't' 1 1 ° A J ' fy ‘i 0 h°dy — the whole bot/y
fl, j • Accord 'ng to the above the ob-
ffi" deS ' g,i of ®P' r itual gifts is clear and

to befn DOtWi , lh8 ' andinga!1 crea 'i°n seemed
e opposed to the ancient saints, yet God

**? "°* a8hara ®d to be called their God-by
giving them gifts— and they were not
ashamed to be called h,s peoplef by covetino

i™ 1 -* d r inn e’

those gifts, and exercising themgclves in
r ‘ n c ? rde t r t0 comf °« and edify 5 one ano-

181 8f ' Te brought f«th

gifts In Ln he ? ptnt ’ nnd en J°y ed all its :
fimei reflecting upon those Apostolic
times, we have often been led to exclaim
, glorious day . O, happy hour!! O, blessed'
people: who thus walked wiih their God
and enjoyed his smiles!!! “Of whom the’
world was not worthy.” Thov i i

the heights of the knowledge of God bj
having visions, and by receiving direct rev-
?' “'T- , Ve ;- jays inspiration, speaking
lhern wbo ^ become dead I
to the world, but alive unto their best inter-
e»t -who had suffered all manner of

counted ^L yea ’ lhe ,OS8 0f 811 'kings, and

win Christ 88 l naUpht ’ ,hat ,bev "'is'-'

. Glirist— win heaven— win eternal life-
win celestial glorv in ■ >«, „ ■ ■ r
God and Chrift dwdl Q
listen to the voice of the Sni«. ^ J 61 Us
them thus: “Ye l com ! Speaifi "? t0

nnd ,L l e are come to mount Zion,
bly and church of the first bfrn, which are

t'he l hl°. r e r nr n' ed !“ beaven > ""<> "> God
lhe judge of all, and to the spirits of jus:

men made perfect, and to Jesus, the media-

■al , »£ C0Venanu These individ-
uals who had united in a perpetual cove-
naut to serve the Lord, had kept their prem-
?®’ 'key lived in the Spirit, and walked in
the Spirit, until they could say in truth.
tub SemtT TKACHES us ALL THINGS. Yes,
all things in heaven, as well as on earth.—
For some or all of them were caught away
n and by the power of that Sptrit unto -tire
i third heaven, and stood in the immediate
presence ol God and the Lamb. Yes, they
associated with embodied angels, and with
disembodied spirits, or spirits of just men
made perlec,. (), field of thought ! Ou?
m od expands while writing upon this ex-
aited giormus theme, and we can say with
off , “ The Lord w iH give grace

I and n ° good thing will he with-

[ h ° .r?. m lhem 'kat walk uprightly.”

. Ft thly, When did miraculous gTfls cease

n the church, and what was the cause of
their not continuing?

That those supernatural gifts by the spir-

of^rr: by « al1 eiasses in tbe ciM,rch

we c. ‘ he brSt ages of Christianity,
ve can see no room to dispute. Yes, en-

j joyed both in the old world knd in the new

tef * 10 lbe New Testament and the

| bo ° k °[ Morm °n- That those gifts contin-
i hnt'lA 6 ® an . ,fe » l among true believers du-
ring the lifetime of the apostles, we do not

B"? W ‘ bat Bny professcd Christian^ dispute!
f h ‘ T" investigation we do not find that

beHevere ' Congri ‘ gation8 of professed
believers of the present day are^adurneu

W'thjtnor edified by any miracclnn^rrids _

present uay are. adorn

bv a,: >' '"iracoloiis'gifts.
IN 0 . No.. Nor ever even hear (bam “ ea
nes ! y contending for them,” but often hav
Wt. heard them contend against them.

C e a !e? ^[°, led V? in .1 u ' re when did the
whh ,h» D d ll T y d,e ,n "'O first center

.Tio la i oni 0 . did l ' ley Cea8e wbei
Hoi A. r SC br ® th r en w h 0 received tin
Holj Ghost from God-by the imposition o
the apostles hands, took their ascent to th,
I ' lme , 8 °! oslestial glory? And did the Lort
i thus design that healings, tongues inter
!E'° n “ f 'ungues, prophecy, visions, rev'
l.ons, &.c. bcc., should die with the aims
tol.c age, or the first hundred years of the

Christ, an era ? , f ^ we W0(J , y J

faith in this matter, as Paul said of ff.e res
urreetmn his day, « Then our faith ?a
am. Our preaching is vain also. And
we are yet ,n our sins-.” Recause we fi-mly

| jf the*e is"! ^^i ‘ ba( - We are commanded^
: 'here ts a mandate in the New Testa-

ment to be Obeyed by any in this gS-

I

OF LIBERTY

109

tion. “To follow after charity and desire
spiritual gifts.” Divine wisdom, we think,
would not thus command us if it were not
our privilege to obtain them — merely to
mock us. But we are aware of the conse-
quences of this doctrine; for once establish
it, and that proves an apostate or false state
of all religious societies and individuals
who have not the “spiritual gifts.” And
that people, and none other, who first ob-
tain the gifts and authority from God to
use them in wisdom, must raise. ‘The En-
sign’ to all the honest in heart, in all na-
tions, must lift up their voice and cry, —
“Come out of her my people, that ye be not
partakers of her sins, and that ye recdive
not- of her plagues.” This cry or voice,
John says he heard from heaven. Now if
no church can be found among all the pres-
ent denominations of Christendom, who
communes with heaven by or through the
medium of the “spiritual gifts,” then no
people on earth can now raise that voice. —
No, nor even receive the warning when it
comes. For men could not hear the voice
and obey its entreaty to “come out of her,”
without a direct revelation from the Lord.
And a revelation would be the exercise of
one of the most precious of the spiritual
gifts.

The popular opinion is, that signs were
given to produce faith in unbelievers — to
establish the gospel dispensation. If this
is true then we are wrong on this point,
for we believe and teach, that spiritual gifts
and manifestations, were given to confirm
believers in the word of truth — were to fol-
low believing, and not to go before, to create
or make faith: that fnith comes by hearing
the word, and not by seeing miracles. That
spiritual gifts were given “for thc'cdifving
ing of the body of Christ,” and not to con-
vert sinners. That miracles will arrest the
attention of the ungodly we would admit,
and sometimes set them to listen to and ex-
amine the truth, but they noverdid nor never
will produce faith.

We draw another argument for the en-
joyment of spiritual gifts, from the express
commandments of inspiratien to believers.

1 Cor. 12: 31. The Apostle here says to
ns and to “all in every place, who call upon
the name of the Lord Jeans,” to “covet
earnestly the best gilts.” What more ex-
press commandment could be given? Could
stronger language be used? — Covet, and do
it earnest tv. He suid in the beginning
of this chapter, “Now concerning spiritual
gifts brethren, I would not have you igno-
rant.” He then tells what the gifts are,
and compares them to the members of the

natural body of man, and; shows thereby
their indispensable use in the body of Christ.
In chapter 13, he shows us his “more ex-
cellent way,” or the beauties, be^fits,& ex-
cellencies of charily; without the enjoyment
of which, all mysteries, faith, knowledge,
and even “spiritual gifts,” would be nothing.

Then the 14th chapter opens with anoth-
er mandate from the skies to “ follow after
charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but ra-
ther that ye may prophesy.” And after
contrasting to gift of prophecy, with the
gift of tongues, and showing that to fore-
tell future events, was more profitable to
the church, in the 39th verse he says: —
“ Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy,
and forbid not to speak with tongues ." —
Now here we would ask one important
question, — Con Christians of the present
day obey these commandments, or can they
not? If they can, then our position is set-
tled at once: but if they cannot, then pray
what precept of the New Testament or of
any of the word of God, can they obey?

We finally maintain that believers in the
Lord can obey those precepts uow, can ob-
tain “the gifts” now; and if there was less
contention in the world about forms, modes,
and creeds, and more earnest contending
“for the faith once delivered to the Saints,”
for the power of godliness, for the gifts of
the Spirit; then we should see more primi-
tive order and saint-like holiness.

But on the question, how long were those
gifts to continue 1 we wish to say a few
words. Paul, Eph. 18: 12, 13, in speaking
of the gifts which Christ gave unto men —
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the
work of the ministry, and for the edifying
of the body of Christ.” Vjfhen speaking in
reference to the time that the gifts were to
continue, he says, “ Till we all come into
the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge
of the Son of God.” If no other scripture
spoke plainly on the subject of the continu-
ance of the gifts, and of the time they were
to cease, this one would would be sufficient.
We have only to ask, have Christians ever
enjoyed more of a oneness of faith and prac-
tice than in the apostolic limes. Have they
ever had a more perfect knowledge of the
Son of God than then? All, all would say
no. This admitted, and our point is gained',
for Paul says of his times, in contrast with
a day that is yet to come, “For we know in
part, and we prophesy in part — we now see
through a glass darkly, but then face to
face. We might say, and we firmly be-
lieve, that those gifts were given to remain,
provided the church remained holy enough
to retain them, “till the times of the restitu-

110

THE ENSIGN

lion of all thing*.” Then that which ia in
pnrt shall be done away! And that, too, by
divine appointment — not as they have been
done away) for want of faith and obedience
in (he church.

But how long did those gifts continue to
be enjoyed by the true believers! We an-
swer — the last writer of the New Testa-
ment, between the years ninety and one
hundered, enjoyed them to a very full ex

portent revelations by “ the gifts of the
Spirit,” between the years 90 and 100. In
the sixth year of the reign of Adrian, the
Roman emperor, who succeeded Trajan in
the year 117, became to Athens. Quadra-
tus was then pastor of the church in that
city, having succeeded Publius. He drew
up an apology for the Christian religion,
which he addressed and delivered to the em-
peror. Eusebius has these remarkable aen-

r .7 I H Xiuseotus nas these remarkable een-
, 1 ’ .* 1" ,he . Sp,r, ‘ on ,he LotdV tencea— pago 123. “Of those that flotir-

vo,ce > ns ‘hose times, Quadrates is said to

f a trumpet, &c. But John s writings j have been distinguished for his prophetical

gifts. There were many others also noted,
for, leaving their country, they Derformed
the office of Evangelists to those who had
not heard the faith.' The Holy Spirit also

1 — » — o tvi'iuug

end the volume in the “Sacred Canon” as it
now stands. And of course. the remainder
of out testimony must be drawn from his-
tory. And if by that we prove that the

.o' T f,:» I .• / , . I,UL ueani uic taitn. me Holy Spirit als(

Spiritaal gifts, continued for centuries [ wrought manyteonders as yet through them,
afterward, then we upset ajxtpular notion of, so that as soon as the gospel was heard

* , &nd bra ” ’ V,Z: tt ? at men voluntarily in crowds, and ea-

those gifts were only given to remain du- j gerly embraced the true faith with their
ring the lifetime ot the Apostles, for the whole minds.” During the second century
purpose of^establishing^he gospel dispen- j lived and wrote those who arc now styled

sation. We once had that notion our-
selves, but found upon investigation that it
was not correct.

Eusebios is considered the father of ec-
clesiastical history, and is referred to by al-
most all succeeding church historians. On
page 86, he records that after the death of
James, the less, who presided over the
church in Jerusalem, the other apostles were

ui/vr Bivitru

“the Fathers,” because tl\j|gfefeceived the
word of truth from the mouths of the twelve
apostles, and those who were eye-witnesses
of the Savior’s majesty, and retained it in
earthen vessels. During the first part of
the second century, miracles and miracu-
lous gifts were not uncommon, as tho wri-
tings of these Fathers testify — but toward
the close of that centhrv, after tho first race

Y "7 , , mu ciose oi mat centhrv, after tho first race

iven from tiie land of Judea; and while from the apostles had all passed away did

vmed cTtv g ^he e wT a ? h ' T"? r' , lllttt u dC ' i th ° Se SiftS lhen 3ti " If we make

; , ...V UICUHIIt,IIUl

Jerusalem, having been commanded by a
divine revelation, given to men of approved
piety before the war, removed from tnocity,
and dwelt at a certain town bevond the
Jordan, called Bella.” That revelation for
some cause or other, was nut embodied in
the “Sacred Canon.” Wo Would be glad
to see it, for it was “tho word of the Lord.”
.It would bo profitable to us “for doctrine, ,
for reproof, for correction, or for instruction I
in righteousness.” But it is gone. And
many other precious revelations, re-
ceived by holv men of old are gone — have

llOOn A~„, J 3 •

I ' A : — ’J , • e u., c —„a»c ooine, inueea, most certainly and truly cam

been destroyed, and in consequence thereof out demons. Others have 7 knowledge of
schisms and divisions prevail throughout the , ihlnua m 0

’ } “ lllCICUi

schisms and divisions prevail throughout the
world. And men now instead of receiving
knowledge from the same source, and in tho
'same way that those “men of approved pi-
ety did,” are “heaping to themselves teach-
ers, having itching itching ears, who turn
away their ears from the truth unto fables.”
The above proves that revelations at this

period were received direct from heaven.

Those things were done about tho year 70,

canon Alxivnlmn - f A _ ■ •_

i -- i 7 oatc.

Eusebius, page 186, quoting from Irene-
us, writes thus: “For even among the
brethren frequently in a case of necessity,
when a whole church united in much fast-
ing and prayer, the spirit lias returned to
the ex-animated body, and the man was

i*rt n,ed 10 the P ra >' er3 of the saints—
\\ herefore, also, those that were truly tho
disciples of-the Son of God, receiving grace
from him, in his name performed those
things for the benefit of the rest of men, and
every one received the free gift from him.
Some, indeed, most certainly and truly, cast

nilfr l umnns r».l. - i i • .

things to come, ns also visions and~ pro-
phetic communications. Others heal the
sick by the imposition of hands, and restore
them to health. And more, as we said
above, even the dead have been raised and
continued with us many years. And why
should we say more? It is impossible to
tell the number of gifts which the church
throughout the world received from God,
and tho deeds performed in the name of Je-

‘7’' were u™ auoui mo year vu. and tho deeds performed in the name of Je

The, seven churches of Asia receive^ sus Christ, whS w.,^ c ^ unT Pontiua
througn John, tho apostle, some very tm- Pilate, and this too every day for the benefit

OF LIBERTY

ill

of th« heathen, without deceiving any, or
exacting their money. For, as ahe bad
freely received from God, ahe also freely
ministers." In another place the same au-
thor writes: “As we hear of many breth-

ren in the church who have prophetic gifts,
and who speak in all tongues through the
spirit, and who also bring to light the ser
cret things of men for their benefit, and who
expound the mysteries of God. These gifts
of different kinds also continued with those
that were worthy until the times men-
tioned."

Ireneus suffered martyrdom at Lyons in
Gaul, (France,) during the fifth general
persecution under Septimus Severus, about
the year 202. Hence he must have written
the above near the close of the second cen-
tury, after the death of all those who had re-
ceived “the faith" immediately from the
Apostles — after all had passed away who
had received the Holy Ghost from heaven,
by the imposition of their hands. If so, and
he wrote the truth, then the point is settled:
forever settled, that miraculous gifts in the
Church of Christ, outlived the apostolic age,
and also the ago of their immediate follow-
ers. Narcissus was the thirtieth in regu-
lar succession from the apostles who presi-
ded over the Church in Jerusalem, conse-
quently he must have lived in the third
century. Of him Eusebius says, page 227 :
“Many miracles are attributed 10 Narcissus
by his couutrymen, as they received the
tradition handed down from the brethren.”
On page 275, he mentiofis a vision and rev-
elation of Dyonisius, the pastor of the
church at Alexandria, and even givos us the
words of the pastor himself: “I was con-

firmed in my purpose by a vision sent me
from hoaven, when a voico camo to mo and
commaud me in words," See. Dyonisius
was the pupil of Orizin, and was cotempo-
rary with Dyonisius, bishop of Rome, who
presided there in 280. He died in 272, in
the 12th year of the reign of Gallienes, after (
having presided over the church in Alexan-
dria 17 years.

Wo will at this lime only present one
more quotation from Eusebius. Book of
Martyrs, chapter 11. Speaking of those
wiio were associated with Pamphilus in
martyrdom, who was an associate of his
owq, and a thrice dear friend to him; he
eays: “ These were twelve, who wore dis-

tinguished by a prophetic and apostolic
grace as well as number.” They suffered
in the commencement of the fourth century.
We will now give one testimony from the
pen of John Wesley. Wo fear it is a little
too strong a pill for the Methodists of the

present day; but the fdpnd# of Methodism
compounded the dose, utd oeing a physi-
cian we will venture to adminis*er it. 2d
volume of Sermons, page 2^6. IText 1 Cor.
12:31. But covet earnestly tnTOest gifts,
itc. “In the preceding verses Paul has
been speaking of (be exlraordintnf gifts of
the Holy Ghost: such as healing the sick,
prophesying, in the proper sense of tho
word; that is, foretelling things to come,
speaking with strange tongnes, such as the
speaker had never learned: and the miracu-
lous intorpretation'Of tongues. And these
gifts the apostle allows to be desirable: yea*
he exhorts the Corinthians, * * to coiet
them earnestly, that thereby they might be
qualified to be more useful to either Chris-
tians or heathens. It does not appear that
those extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost
were common in the church for more than
two or three ceqturies. We seldom hear
of them after that fatal period, when the
emperor Constantine called himselt a Chris-
tian; and from a vain imagination of pro-
moting the Christian cause thereby, beape.d
riches, and power, and honor, upon tho
Christians in general; but in particular upon
the Christian clergy. From this lime they
almost totally ceased: very few instances of
the kind were found. The cause of this
was not, (as has been vulgarly supposed,)
because there was no moro occasion for
them, because all the world was become
Christians. This is a miserable mistake:
not the twentieth part of it was then nomi-
nally Christians. The real cause*- was, the
love of many, almost all Christians, so
called, waxed cold. The Christians had no
more of the Spirit of Christ than the other
heathens. The Son of man when he came
to examine his church, could hardly “find
faith on earth." ■ This was the real cause
why the gifts of the Holy Ghost were’ no
longer to be found in the Christian church:
because the Christians were turned heathens
again, and had only a dead form left.” The
above is plain and pointed, and answers our
last proposition. J

We have now ^traced by the “sacred
books," and by the aid of history, the “gifts
of the Holy Spirit,” down as. far as the
commencement of the fourtli cefltury. The
want of room has kept us from enlarging.
But we acknowledge that frgsn this period
onward, the lamp of heavenly manifesta-
tions grows more and more <jim until finally
the church, under a (said*' to be Christian
emperor,) assembled its dignitaries in a
grand council at Nice: and there, instead of
asking of Godi for wisdom from above, to
settle all theiadifficulties, they counciled and

m

l

*

THE ENSIGN

contended fronAhe >9th of June, 326, until Again, “ntigodly men, turning the grace of

the 26th of Augum*fo)lowing. Here it is
said 31 8 bishops, with about 2048 of the in-
ferior cloray-cdhsulted about 67 days. The
grand re* of all their deliberations was
to form a creed — to make a calf— to bind !
the consciences of all Christendom. Those
who would not lamely submit to swallow
their- creedl and observe their canons!!
must either be banished-or loose their
heads!!! In and during such a state of
things we should expect to search in vain
for the manifestations of those glorious
gifts which Jesus bestowed upon His chukch
lot >ts edification, sanctification, and glori-
fication.

LATTER DAY SAINTISM.

It may be expected, after so long a silence,
that we would say a few words about the
different parties of this misguided people,
who are scattered tip and down. The most
numerous and noted among them are those
we shall denominate,

TWELVEITES.

Since they were driven from Nan vpo they
have located in a great bason of the Rocky
Mountains,' among the wild savages of tho
west. They have laidthem out a city, and
are again miking tvefooOdous colctdirtldne
us to the future. Disappointments andjle-
feats do not seem to damp their ardor.’ —
But I am frank to declare that I regard that
people as the one particularly noted by in-
spiration. And although they seem to pros-
per, although thousands upon thousands
gather to them from all parts cf-the world,
yet we knofr them to be a “fallen people.”
They are those referred to by the proohet
David in these words, “Even in the pride
of their own hearts have they done wicked-
ness in ray name, saith the Lord, even all
manner of abominations, even such that tliej
people of the world never was guilty of.’’ —
From their numbers, their influences, their
principles, and their pbaetices, we believe
that they are those referred to by Paul, in
speaking af the last days, saying,

the Lord Jesus Christ into lasciviousness.
And again, Peter write* pf such that they
would “bring in damnabieMtlresies • * and
many shall follow their pernicious wsys,
by .reason of whom the nay of trotfc.sball
be e»il spoken of; and through covetbus-
ness shall they with feigned words make
merchandise of their followers.”

After making the above quotations it
would be needless for us to say that we have
no confidence whatever in the leading men
who have gone to the wilderness. That many
candid people who desire to know and do
the truth are among them we are wil-
ling tu admit, but as a people they will be
literally destroyed. Here we refer our read-
ers to a remarkable prepheey printed on the
last pagiftof the sixth number of this paper
■and with that we close concerning them.
And say a few words about BREWSTER-
ISM. But 1 do’nbt consider that it has one
particle of original ' Mormon ism in it. —
When J. C. Brewster was a hoy, he claims
that he bad a vision of some lost books of
the old Prophet Esdras., Since which he
has been occasionally pretending to trans-
late from them. I have -no doubt he is in-
spired by what the ancients used to call “a
familiar spirit.” Among the other splits of
the, L. D. Saints, after the death of the
Smiths, .a few uneducated, illiterate ones,
looked up to Brewster os some great one. —
During the summer of ’ 46 , he and his mo-
Ti*En arrived in Kirlland on an errand “to
organize life Kingdom anew on the same
foundation.” But only nine persons organ-
ized, and they instead of Brewster chose H.
Aldrich as their highest officer; and after-
ward he chose A. Cowles for his counsellor.
They publish a paper called the Olive
Branch. They called a general assembly
of all who would, hearken, to meet in the
Temple here in June last. A few attended.
But they had contention from their outset.
On the third day they split into two parties.
Aldrich headed one party, apd Cowles the
Other. I was present when. Pres. Aldrich
dismissed his general asreMlt /— but it only
consisted of himself and- two others, and i
'spectator — Poor:. thing, thought I, let it
W a would say more on this subject,

I

. „ - - . . “They

creep-into houses and lead captive silly wo- 1 die!
men, laden with sine, led away with divers | had we room.

lusts; ever laaning and never able to come ; ‘ i-t- — . ■-j-i L rrrr:

to the knowledgeof the truth.” Again, “be- j THE ENSIGN OF LIBERTY,
cause they reqeived not the love of the truih ! Will be edited hv W. E. McLrlun, and

that tnoy miglin>e Hived, And for this cause I — * i. ,

God shall, send ihkm strong delusion, that S pubIlfhed occasionally on areedmm sheet,
they should -believe a lje: that they alii
might be damned, who bolievpd not the truth, J
but hail pleasure in unrighteousness.” — ’

in pamphlet form, containing sixteen pa-
ges each, at One Dollar for twelvo num-
bers — irt ADVANCE.